Educators, Students, and Community Partners come together to collaborate

Interprofessional Education (IPE) is a recognized and effective model for collaborative learning in healthcare and social services. As defined by the World Health Organization, IPE involves students from multiple professions learning together, from each other, and about each other. This approach fosters a comprehensive understanding of teamwork by emphasizing the unique contributions that each professional role brings to the collective effort.

On Friday, May 2, Canadore College will host UPLIFT 2025 – Uniting Professionals in Learning and Interprofessional Frameworks for Tomorrow. This conference will provide a valuable platform for educators, students, and professionals to engage in thoughtful discussions regarding the future of IPE and its impact on the healthcare and social service sectors.

“Whether participants are faculty or staff from academic institutions, students, recruiters, or current and potential community partners from academic institutions across Canada, this conference is designed to provide valuable insights, foster collaboration, and inspire action in the continually evolving IPE landscape,” said Dr. Omid Ali Kharazmi, Research Specialist.

The conference will address key opportunities, challenges, and strategies for advancing interprofessional education in Canada. Sessions will cover the latest trends, technologies, and practices in IPE, with a particular focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, cultural safety, the indigenization of IPE, accessibility, and the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on interprofessional learning and collaboration.

 
“The anticipated outcomes of UPLIFT 2025 include enhancing engagement with experts and leaders in the IPE field, fostering a high-quality professional network, and increasing awareness and collaboration across disciplines,” said Dr. Christina Deroche, Research Centre Director. “We will be shaping the future of IPE by better understanding the challenges and opportunities from the perspectives of academic institutions, community agencies and organizations, and students, by identifying new community partnership opportunities, and by staying ahead of emerging trends and developments within the field of IPE.”

UPLIFT 2025 is the outcome of a multi-institution collaboration, led by researchers at Cape Breton University, Canadore College, the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and Brock University, and supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Partnership Development Grant.

“I am excited that our research team will be sharing the results from our research on IPE across Canada at UPLIFT 2025,” said Dr. Kelsey Harvey, Assistant Professor at Cape Breton University. “We will showcase our findings from the last three years in a panel, a presentation, and a poster at the conference. The conference plays a crucial role in the project’s long-term dissemination strategy, aimed at sharing outcomes and reflecting on their enduring impact.”