Interprofessional education (IPE) is a crucial component of clinical programmes of study, as it prepares students from different healthcare disciplines to work collaboratively and effectively in real-world clinical settings. By bringing together students from various fields, such as medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and dietetics, IPE fosters a deeper understanding of each profession's roles, responsibilities, and unique contributions to patient care. This collaborative learning approach promotes teamwork, communication, and mutual respect, which are essential for providing high-quality, patient centered care in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. The Health Sciences Academy provides an important focus for Inter-professional education.
You can find out about some of our current inter-professional education initiatives here:
AIPEC formerly known as The Health Fusion Team Challenge (HFTC) is an extracurricular competition for students from the health professions. It provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in teamwork and collaboration as they develop a management plan for a client with complex health needs.
Pioneered by academics from the University of British Columbia over 25 years ago, the Health Care Team Challenge was brought to Australia and developed by an interprofessional team of Queensland academics under the name of Health Fusion. In 2017, The University of Limerick became the first Irish University to host the HFTC.
Building on the success the HFTC nationally, The Health Sciences Academy were delighted to host this event virtually in March 2021. AIPEC has been hosted by the following Universities:
2022 University College Cork
2023 University of Galway
2024 Queens University Belfast
To find out more about participating in AIPEC 2025 CONTACT US
This IPE pilot programme had a very successful 2023, with it being delivered in in March and again in November. Students from health sciences programmes managed a case study scenario with a blend of simulation education, team meeting engagement and teamwork, providing students with a realistic, hands-on learning experience. An evaluation of the student experience has been carried out and write-up is currently underway.