A Framework for the Implementation of Interprofessional Education (IPE) in Philippine Health Professions’ Education
6 November 2026
16.00 Manila Time; 02.00 CST; 08.00 GMT; 09.00 CET; 10.00 SAST
Presenter:
Reeva Ann Sumulong – Dr. Mariano Que College of Pharmacy at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, The Philippines
Moderator:
Michael Sy – APIPEC; Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland
Description:
The study showcases the 1st IPE implementation framework contextualized in the Philippine setting developed based from the data gathered from four (4) Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with an IPE program. This framework serves as a guide to HEIs in systematically integrating IPE in the curricula of the health sciences programs. It will also help administrators and curriculum developers determine crucial factors in developing an IPE curriculum and to ensure that the implementation of IPE will be at par with global standards.
Abstract:
Interprofessional Education (IPE) serves as a critical pedagogical approach in training the students to become collaborative practice-ready professionals. The recent revisions in the Policies, Standards, and Guidelines (PSGs) governing the different health sciences programs in the Philippines has formalized the expectation among health care professionals to work collaboratively with other professions through the integration of IPE in the curriculum. However, despite this regulatory mandate, the institutional adoption of IPE in higher education institutions remain limited. This qualitative, multiple case study aimed at developing a framework for the implementation of IPE in Philippine Health Professions Education. Purposive sampling was employed to select participants including faculty members and key personnel with direct involvement in implementing the IPE program regardless of years of service and academic rank. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussion, and document analysis and subsequently subjected to thematic analysis using the KJ method. Analysis revealed several salient themes representing the different elements of IPE implementation. These elements were systematically organized to create an IPE implementation framework tailored to the Philippine health professions education context. The resulting framework underwent validation by IPE experts and suggestions were incorporated in the development of the final framework. The resulting framework serves a practical, evidence-based guide for higher education institutions in implementing IPE in their curricula based on their contextual settings. Notably, this framework serves as the 1st IPE framework contextualized in the Philippine setting.
Associate Professor Reeva Ann Sumulong is a pharmacist and teacher by profession. She is a candidate for the degree PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at Philippine Normal University. She is the current Director of the Center for Inter-Professional Education and Practice (CIPEP) and a faculty member of the Dr. Mariano Que College of Pharmacy at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute.
Her interest in Interprofessional Education (IPE) started way back in 2015 when she received a travel grant to undergo the international IPE training at Gunma University in Japan. Since then, she has done several trainings for faculty members and students on Interprofessional Education for the past 10 years. In terms of research, she was a coauthor in 3 published papers related to IPE in the Philippines and is also doing review of research articles related to IPE. As a one of the founding members of an organic network on IPE in the Philippines, the PHIPEC Network, she is active in establishing partnership and linkages with other institutions to further promote IPE in the country for a better health care system.
Author: Reeva Ann L. Sumulong
Author email: rlsumulong@dlsmhsi.edu.ph