SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES FOR INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: A SCOPE REVIEW

Abstract

Interprofessional Education (IPE) is an approach capable of improving the quality of health care, qualifying professionals and contributing to the training of undergraduate students. Despite the significant progress made in the last decade, integration, sustainability and institutional strengthening remain global priorities. In this sense, the continuity and strengthening of sustainability strategies are fundamental to the full development and consolidation of IPE. The aim of this study was to identify discussions on the sustainability of Interprofessional Education and map its actions or strategies. A Scoping Review was carried out, guided by the criteria of the Joanna Briggs Institute, and the writing of the report was guided by PRISMA-ScR. It went through six stages, namely: identification of the research question; identification of relevant studies; selection of studies; data extraction and coding; analysis and interpretation of the results; and presentation of the research findings. The following databases were used for data collection: LILACS, Embase, Scopus, MEDLINE, ERIC, Web of Science, CINAHL and gray literature. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. A total of 57 studies were identified, mostly carried out in the years 2021 and 2022, with a predominance in the United States of America (27) and Brazil (8). The World Health Organization's definition of Interprofessional Education prevailed (18). With regard to sustainability strategies, at the Micro level, the following stood out: courses, training and continuous training in IPE for teachers, preceptors and facilitators; at the Meso level, the integration and/or standardization of curricula and components (courses, disciplines, extension activities, etc.); and at the Macro level, ministerial support and the creation of grants to promote IPE. The study highlighted the need for greater financial and political investment to strengthen and expand Interprofessional Education, because despite its development on a global scale, integration, sustainability and expansion still face significant barriers, with an impact on strengthening interprofessional work.