title: Assessing Performance and Learning in Interprofessional Health Care Teams.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Teamwork has become an integral part of health care delivery. Such emphasis on teamwork has generated the need to systematically measure and improve the learning and performance of health care teams. The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive assessment instrument, the Interprofessional Education and Practice Inventory (IPEPI), to evaluate learning and performance in interprofessional health care teams.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 12-month study commenced in three 4-month phases: (1) a panel of 25 national and international experts participated in the Delphi process to identify factors influencing team learning and team performance; (2) the research team analyzed the findings from the two Delphi rounds to develop the IPEPI; and (3) a cohort of 27 students at the university engaged in clinical simulations to test and refine the IPEPI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings suggest key factors that significantly influence team learning and performance include whether the group is able to foster a climate of mutual respect, adopt effective communication strategies, develop a sense of trust, and invite contributions from others. Additionally, in assessing organizational factors, participants indicated those factors that significantly influence team learning and performance include whether the organization is patient-centered, creates a culture of safety (not blame), and supports individual and team learning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the critical role assessment plays in enhancing not just interprofessional education or interprofessional practice, but in essence advancing interprofessional education and practice--which requires an integrated examination of how health care professionals learn and perform in teams.
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Quality Graduate Programs, The George Washington University School of Nursing, 2010 M Street, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037, USA. bsheingo@gwu.edu.
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ekmekci
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sheingold
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plack
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: LeLacheur
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halvaksz
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schlumpf
authors.forename: Larrie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation