National Interprofessional Health Care Month

National Interprofessional Health Care Month

April is National Interprofessional Awareness Month! When you go to your Primary Care office, you may see different types of providers. For example, provider types you might see are MDs “Medical Doctors”, APRNs “Nurse Practitioners”, and PAs “Physician’s Assistants.” National Interprofessional Health Care Month recognizes that different types of providers help provide quality health care. It is in the public’s interest for maintenance of independence, productivity, happiness, overall welfare and well-being of society. The awareness color for this awareness month is blue and green.

Additionally, National Interprofessional Health Care Month month acknowledges the importance of interprofessional practice and education. This awareness month recognizes that quality health care is provided collaboratively. That is, by professionals of multiple disciplines that increase the diverse knowledge and skills of a range of health care professionals. In addition, this month recognizes that quality healthcare is in the public’s interest. And lastly, it is important for overall welfare, well-being, and to thank all professions involved.

Healthcare IPC is teamwork for the benefit of patients. WHO defines it as “multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds working together with patients, families, carers (caregivers), and communities. This affords the highest quality of care.”

Interprofessional Healthcare Plays a Critical Role

Interprofessional healthcare plays a critical role in improving patient care and quality outcomes. Treating the patient holistically, with a well-rounded team of clinicians, ensures continuity of care and quality of care. National Interprofessional Awareness Month exists to educate patients on the different roles providers play. And they emphasize how differing strengths, interests, and education provide evidence-based care with current research.

History of National Interprofessional Health Care Month

In 2016 at the National Academies of Practice (NAP) Annual Forum, it was proclaimed that April would be National Interprofessional Healthcare Month. NAP was founded in 1981 to advise governmental bodies on the U.S. healthcare system. This is the mission of NAP: “Distinguished professionals advancing interprofessional healthcare by fostering collaboration and advocating policies in the best interest of individuals and communities.” They aim to improve healthcare outcomes by treating the whole person through an interprofessional approach to patient care.

It’s important to support interprofessional healthcare by creating information resources that provide healthcare professionals across a variety of specialties. This is consistent with a current evidence base to inform patient care. And it ensures continuity of care and a cohesive approach to the patient.

The National Academies of Practice (NAP) issued the following proclamation in 2016. It stresses the importance each April to acknowledge interprofessional practice and education:

Quality health care is in the public’s interest for the maintenance of independence, productivity, happiness, overall welfare, and well-being of society.

Quality health care is provided collaboratively by professionals of multiple disciplines dependent upon the health needs of the public at large.

Primary health care begins with health promotion, wellness, and the prevention of diseases and health problems that require treatment from various healthcare professionals.

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.

Healthcare clinicians collaborating in an interprofessional team model of service enhances not only coordination, but safe, effective, and high-quality health care.

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