INTERPROFESSIONAL
PROFESSIONALISM: What is it
and how do we measure it?
Dana Hammer, RPh, MS, PhD,
University of Washington
OVERVIEW
• Explore Interprofessional Professionalism
Collaborative (IPC) and interprofessional
professionalism (IPP)
• Discuss the interprofessional professionalism
assessment (IPA)
• Describe future initiatives of IPC
Establishment of IPC
Doctoral health professions were wrestling
independently with professionalism
– How does the profession define professionalism?
– How is professionalism taught?
– How is professionalism measured?
– Were any professions working collaboratively on
professionalism?
– Are there similarities among professional behaviors
within the various health care professions?
MEMBERS of the INTERPROFESSIONAL
PROFESSIONALISM COLLABORATIVE (IPC)
Audiology/Speech-Language
Pathology (ASHA)
Allopathic Medicine (AAMC)
Dentistry (ADEA)
Internal Medicine (ABIM)
Nursing (AACN)
*Occupational Therapy (AOTA)
Optometry (ASCO)
Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
Pharmacy (AACP)
Physical Therapy (APTA)
Psychology (APA)
Veterinary Medicine (AAVMC)
National Board of Medical
Examiners (NBME)
Initial Discussions of IPC
Discovered the topic was worthwhile,
however, collaboration was not evident
Initiated working collaboratively on
interprofessional professionalism
DEFINITION of INTERPROFESSIONAL
PROFESSIONALISM
“Consistent demonstration of core values
evidenced by professionals working together,
aspiring to and wisely applying principles1 of,
altruism, excellence, caring, ethics, respect,
communication, accountability to achieve
optimal health and wellness in individuals and
communities.”
1Stern
DT. Measuring Medical Professionalism. Oxford University
Press. New York, NY;2006:19.
Quality
Care
Professionalism
Patient
Safety
Interprofessional
Professionalism
Effective
communication
Committed
collaborative
teams
Patient/Client
/FamilyCentered
Care
IPC Goals
• Serve as a national resource center for curriculum
development and evaluation for interprofessional
professionalism.
• Develop a toolkit to include:
– an interprofessional professionalism assessment
(IPA) focused on health professions’ entry into
practice, and
– education resources for use in teaching to further
interprofessional professionalism (IPP).
Outcomes to Date
• Interprofessional Assessment (IPA) tool in
preparation for pilot testing
• National and International Presentations
• IPC Website
• Published articles
IPC WEBSITE
www.interprofessionalprofessionalism.weebly.com
PUBLICATIONS
• Holtman M, Frost J, Hammer DP, McGuinn K,
Nunez LM. Interprofessional professionalism:
Linking professionalism and interprofessional
care. Journal of Interprofessional Care. 2011; 25:
383-385.
• Hammer D, Anderson MB, Brunson WD, Grus C,
Heun L, Holtman M, Mashima T, McGuinn K,
Nunez L, Register S, Ross L, Ruffin A, Frost JG.
Defining and Measuring a Construct of
Interprofessional Professionalism. Journal of
Allied Health 2012;41(2):e49–e53.
Draft IPA Instrument for Pilot
• Not for reproduction or widespread
adoption currently
• Pilot begins this fall – do you think
your institution would be interested as
a test site? 
• See handout on table
Discussion
Questions
1.
2.
3.
How could the IPA begin 4.
to shape interprofessional
education policy and
culture?
Are there assessment or
research models that
you are currently using 5.
to promote IPP?
Successes and
challenges?
What challenges do you
foresee with using this
instrument (IPA)?
What strategies could
organizations employ to
facilitate
interprofessional
assessment and
research?
What
recommendations do
you have for IPC as we
go forward (e.g, other
tools, curricula)?
SHARING OF DISCUSSION
SUMMARIES
CONTACT US
dphammer@uw.edu
www.interprofessionalprofessionalism.w
eebly.com