Reimagining Interprofessional Education: Preparing the Workforce for Integrated Care

UHN Lecture series Big Ideas:

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 / 12 pm – 1 pm ET/  Virtual

This interactive session is designed to stimulate critical thinking regarding the education and training of future health and social care professionals for integrated, team-based models of care. Drawing on a series of studies, we aim to explore the critical role of Interprofessional Education (IPE) as a foundation, building block, and catalyst for generating practice change. This work is grounded in the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC) pillars and competencies, emphasizing a shift from workforce planning for professionals to planning cross-sector person-centred care for patients and populations.

This session explores how interprofessional education (IPE prepares current and future healthcare providers to deliver integrated care. Participants will review findings from a scoping review and study of Ontario hospital-to-home integrated care programs, as well as two open education resources focused on IPE and integrated stroke care transitions. The session will also encourage reflection and discussion on the implications for health professionals’ education, research, and continuing professional development (CPD).

By the end of the session, participants will gain insights into how current educational frameworks and experience can be adapted to ensure that future professionals are not only “collaborative practice ready” but also equipped to navigate the complexities of integrated, person-centred health systems.

Speakers: 

Dr.Sue Bookey-Bassett, RN, PhD, is Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work focuses on nursing and health workforce development, interprofessional education, leadership, integrated care, and improving care quality. She currently researches interprofessional stroke care for older adults with multiple chronic conditions.

Dr. Sherry Espin, RN, PhD, is a Professor at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work focuses on interprofessional education, team collaboration, communication, patient safety, integrated care, and health equity. She is an experienced qualitative research and collaborative scholar.