Creating a System to Recognize and Retain Interprofessional Education Faculty Champions

Interprofessional education (IPE) is imperative to prepare health professionals to practice collaboratively and meet the Quintuple Aim of Healthcare.(1-2) IPE administration requires that facilitators are knowledgeable about and able to model the Core Competencies of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice(3). However, development of such competencies and IPE facilitation are often unrewarded in compensation, promotion, and tenure processes, leaving even IPE champions with little motivation for engagement(4). Meaningful and feasible incentives are needed to retain IPE champions and sustain interprofessional programs. Educator recognition in other contexts has shown positive impacts on motivation, self-esteem, teaching practices, and students(5).Implementation: Our team created a data-driven system to formally recognize the contributions of facilitators; provide extrinsic motivation for IPE participation with increasing breadth and depth; and grow a pipeline of skilled facilitators to meet growing IPE demands. We analyzed participation data from the previous two years and used descriptive statistics to create facilitator recognition quartiles based on time volunteered. Feedback was solicited from facilitators before launch to ensure the system met its aims.Evaluation plan: Metrics including attendance at a new annual Recognition Ceremony celebrating facilitators by quartile; year-to-year and five-year retention of facilitators; number of co-facilitated IPE sessions, and maintenance and advancement of facilitators within and through quartiles will aid understanding of the impact of the recognition system. Student surveys and facilitator peer evaluation data will provide insight into facilitator effectiveness, and facilitator survey data will help to determine satisfaction, perceived needs, and approaches to address identified gaps.Outcome(s) and significance: 44% of 113 facilitators attended the first Recognition Ceremony, suggesting initial interest. Future iterations will include recognition of milestones like total hours contributed over time and consecutive years of service. Top contributors will receive perks including sponsored conference attendance. With formal recognition, we hope to provide a meaningful incentive for dedicated, skilled contributions to effective and sustained IPE.