Progress and Promise: Profiles in Interprofessional Health Training to Deliver Patient-Centered Primary Care

The publication highlights how seven programs from California, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia train a variety of health care professionals to work together as teams in patient-centered medical homes. 

Hundreds of programs are transitioning into interprofessional curriculum all across the country, 130 of which and are featured on the PCPCC’s online training database. The seven programs included in the publication train medical students, residents, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, social workers, psychologists, and other health professionals to work together effectively. 

The publication identifies common elements of the training programs such as dispersed team leadership, integration of behavioral health and a focus on patient-centered care, among others, that are integral to developing effective, interprofessional teams. Additionally, the seven programs share their learning journeys, some of the barriers they have encountered and challenges they have overcome. 

Co-sponsors of the publication include: The Council on Social Work Education, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions, National Association of Social Workers and Association of American Medical Colleges.