April is National Interprofessional Healthcare Month

Today, April 1, 2020, marks the first day of National Interprofessional Healthcare Month. The National Academies of Practice (NAP) issued the following proclamation in 2016 to dedicate each April to acknowledge the importance of interprofessional practice and education.

• Whereas, quality health care is in the public’s interest for maintenance of independence, productivity, happiness, overall welfare and well-being of society.
• Whereas, quality health care is provided collaboratively by professionals of multiple disciplines dependent upon the health needs of the public at large.
• Whereas, primary health care begins with health promotion, wellness, and the prevention of the very diseases and health problems that require treatment from various healthcare professionals.
• Whereas, the complexity and breadth of health promotion, illness prevention and quality health care benefits from the diverse knowledge and skills of a range of health care professionals.
• Whereas, health care clinicians collaborating in an interprofessional team model of service enhances not only coordination, but safe, effective and high quality health care.

This proclamation could not be more relevant today. As the National Center and the American Interprofessional Health Collaborative have stated, “In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to work and learn about, from, and with each other is crucial to our response.” The UW–CIPE is committed to promoting and supporting its Strategic Directions during these unprecedented times, but with considerably more innovation in how we communicate and plan our next steps in working with our partners across the campus. What is most important, however, is that all the health science professions students are able to meet their school and program requirements for the remainder of this semester and possibly beyond. We are, and will be, a resource to help in any way we can. And finally, the UW–CIPE would like to offer our sincere gratitude to the UW Health providers and staff, and all our caretakers across the state who have worked tirelessly on the front lines to take care of patients and keep families safe this last month. We know your work is not done and we applaud your bravery and commitment. To echo NAP, “quality health care is provided collaboratively by professionals of multiple disciplines dependent upon the health needs of the public at large.” And certainly, our public is dependent on your services and helping hands more than ever now. Thank you. Stay well and be safe, The UW–CIPE Team