Interprofessional Education

In line with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards and Guidelines on Interprofessional Education (IPE), faculty and students of the School of Pharmacy are actively involved in LAU’s IPE program.

The IPE program uses a student-centered educational approach that builds on the curricula of the programs involved. Students learn through collaboration across disciplines, which ultimately enhances the quality of patient/client health and social care.

Three faculty members of the School of Pharmacy are standing members of the IPE workgroup, alongside faculty from the schools of Nursing, Medicine, and Arts and Sciences (nutrition and social work). They meet regularly to discuss, develop, and plan IPE activities.

Common educational themes include communication; compliance and adherence; conflict negotiation; ethics in clinical practice; evidence-based medicine; health promotion; patient safety; and sexuality.

Pharmacy students go through multiple IPE learning experiences during their enrollment in the professional program. To streamline course delivery, students are grouped into three levels:

1. Entry: those who have not yet had clinical learning experiences, regardless of their class year;
2. Intermediate: those enrolled in their initial clinical experiences;
3. Advanced: those nearing graduation with extensive clinical experiences and broader knowledge of healthcare.

Topics are mainly presented to students in mini-lectures, simulations, and case discussions.

IPE further extends to the clinical setting by engaging students and faculty in interdisciplinary teamwork and practice at LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital.

Specific assessment and evaluation instruments are used to continuously assess the IPE program. Students and faculty complete evaluations following their learning activities. Assessment data are used to further guide the direction of the IPE program.

The LAU School of Pharmacy has been recognized by ACPE for its Noteworthy Practices on IPE.