Utilizing Change Leadership Within Social Work Education to Prioritize and Expand Interprofessional Education in a University Setting

Abstract

Interprofessional education (IPE) is a critical educational component for promoting the quadruple aim of health care. Additionally, interprofessional practice (IP) is included in the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) educational standards. Yet, the organizational change required to integrate a social work program within established interprofessional education (IPE) curriculum is challenging given the resources required, such as personnel, time, and ongoing commitment among stakeholders. We present a case study of one MSW program’s process for integrating social work within an existing IPE curriculum and formalizing IPE as a focus point programmatically. The Bacharach Approach, a change leadership model, is used to analyze the MSW program’s approach to initiating and sustaining this change initiative. Through strategic decision-making and capitalizing on momentum, the MSW program has become a valued partner and leader of IPE endeavors and the MSW program’s focus on IPE programmatically has been solidified. Creativity, adaptability, advocacy, and relationship-building are key skill areas that social work educators can draw upon as they navigate organizational and programmatic changes focused on IPE.

Keywords

• leadership, interprofessional education, collaboration, social work education
• change leadership
• interprofessional education
• collaboration
• social work education