Longitudinal interprofessional education in health profession education: a scoping review

Abstract

Longitudinal interprofessional education (IPE) is vital for developing collaborative practice-ready health professionals, yet its implementation and impact remain underexplored. This scoping review maps the current evidence on longitudinal IPE, examining implementation models, evaluated outcomes, and key facilitators and barriers. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, a systematic search of five databases from 2016 to March 2024 was conducted. Data from 45 included studies were thematically analyzed. Findings reveal that most longitudinal IPE programs are short-term and partially integrated, constrained primarily by meso-level administrative barriers such as scheduling conflicts and time constraints, rather than being truly longitudinal. Based on the interprofessional socialization framework, a significant “measurement gap” exists; evaluations predominantly focus on self-assessed interprofessional competencies and readiness for interprofessional learning, while largely overlooking interprofessional identity development and behavioral readiness for collaborative practice. Furthermore, an “interprofessional socialization paradox” suggests that longitudinal IPE must be intentionally designed to provide high-quality, repeated, and meaningful interprofessional experiences across the entire curriculum. This review also advocates the use of spiral curriculum equipped with authenticity of the learning context, particularly clinical exposure, to support dual identity development. The current longitudinal IPE landscape is fragmented, revealing a chasm between pedagogical goals and implementation reality. Progress requires a deliberate shift towards evidence-based models like spiral curricula grounded in authentic clinical contexts, supported by robust faculty development, the alignment of macro-level accreditation standards, and a research agenda focused on dual identity development and higher-level behavioral outcomes.