About the event
Since 2013, the IPE Colloquium™ event has been delivered by the Australian Pharmacy Council, who are Australia's independent accreditation body for pharmacy. The event is part of an engagement strategy with stakeholders in order to facilitate high quality education and training, bringing health profession educators, policy makers, and students together to shape the future of healthcare education.
Now in its second decade, this one-day event fosters cross-disciplinary dialogue on how we educate and assess the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Colloqui - Latin for “to talk” - reflects our belief in the power of conversation and collaboration.
We are grounded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework for Action on Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (2010) definition - “Interprofessional education occurs when two or more professionals learn about, from and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes".
We believe interprofessional education is essential to the future of healthcare. By breaking down silos and building mutual respect and trust, IPE equips us to meet the growing demands on our healthcare systems.
How can we prepare students for the evolving landscape in healthcare?
That’s the conversation we’re here to have.
History
What started out as pharmacy-only event, soon established itself as a premium interprofessional health education event, attracting over 200 attendees at each event. With a focus on academic research and a flexible, multi-format approach, the IPE Colloquium™ has offered a dynamic, engaging space for learning, connection, and deep discussions that have influenced how we develop the workforce.
Previous themes
2024 - Brisbane
Winhangarra: listen, hear and think
Drawn from Wiradjuri language, Winhangarra means to listen, hear and think. By honouring Winhangarra, we can collectively aim for transformational change in health profession education and disrupt it in such a way that extends thinking beyond the accepted systems.
The 2024 theme saw leaders from organisations such as Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME), Leaders in Indigenous Pharmacy Profession Education (LIPPE), Leaders in Indigenous Nursing & Midwifery Education Network (LINMEN), and more came together to share their experiences and how they’re leading change. Prior to the IPE Colloquium™, the LIPPE™ Network also held a workshop to progress their work in embedding cultural safety into pharmacy curriculum.
2022 - Sydney
Enlighten, empower, and emancipate: Planting the seeds to future proof our professions
In light of the pandemic, the 2022 theme focused on resilience - transforming curriculum to produce resilient health professionals who can lead change in response to the needs of our communities. Sessions highlighted unheard stories from the pandemic, mental health first aid training, trust, and how we can empower students to work across a wide range of settings in health and social care.
Partnering with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), Bronwyn Clark, CEO, APC and Fiona Stoker, CEO, ANMAC made a public commitment to create change.
Read Peak bodies commit to change - Colloquium Outcome Statement
2021 - Canberra
From virtual to reality: the journey to work-readiness
Partnering with ANMAC, the 2021 theme focused on building strategies and frameworks that enhance work-readiness upon graduation. Speakers shared their research and expertise on building system resilience, simulation and assessment methods, the interprofessional continuum, and the significance of Entrustable Professional Activities.
This Colloquium finished with a lively and controversial debate, moderated by the inimitable Prof Andrew McLachlan. Teams debated "Patients are safer if students do not practise on them – from virtual to reality".
2019 - Melbourne
Together we can do more: Educating for social accountability across the health professions
Partnering with ANMAC, the 2019 theme explored how interprofessional education and collaboration can make the difference to deliver culturally sensitive, empathetic and holistic care with the right combination of clinical experts. A notable session was a hypothetical prophecy led by Alison Menzies and Professor Lisa Nissen – an engaging session that discussed how to harness the power of a story to connect, to intrigue, to reveal and to inspire, tapping into the intrinsic problem-solving capacity of the group as a whole.
Read Interprofessional Colloquium 2019 proves “together we can do more'
2015 - Canberra
The secret ingredient: can we turn up the heat of experiential education
The 2017 theme focussed on improving placements and simulation in pharmacy programs. The discussions, debates and intelligence gleaned from this event, particularly around the workshop on What makes a good (and bad) role model and mentor. Pharmacists Anthony Tassone and Dr Erica Sainsbury led a profession debate titled, “Only the profession can bake the cake”.
Other highlights included keynote speaker, UK pharmacist Ravi Sharma, who discussed his experiences with emerging UK education model and how pharmacy students are supported.
2014 - Brisbane
The Mysteries of Time and Space: Preparing future practitioners for patient-centred care
Marshall Moleschi, Registrar of the Ontario College of Pharmacists, Canada, gave a timely and captivating account of the Canadian experience moving towards patient-centred care. Professor Lisa Nissen presented thought-provoking data from the Queensland vaccination pilot that, at the time, painted a vivid picture of a possible future role for pharmacists.
A highlight of the day was the lively and robust panel discussion which threw out a number of challenging and exciting ideas about how Australian pharmacists may need to change and adapt in the future.
2013 - Melbourne
Accreditation: Drivers to innovation and change
Our first Colloquium was held in 2013. Guest speaker Professor David Wright, University of East Anglia, was invited to speak on the experience of revising Accreditation Standards and outcomes-based accreditation in the United Kingdom. This aligned with the implementation of the new outcomes-based APC accreditation standards in 2014, which was the first set of outcomes-based standards developed in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme in Australia.
This first Colloquium attracted over 60 participants and highlighted a need for an ongoing open forum between education providers and the profession to discuss topics related to education and practice.
Our values
We are leaders in and strong advocates for Interprofessional Education. We believe that better health outcomes are achieved when we work and learn together.
Life-long learning
We endeavour to provide avenues that encourage intellectual curiosity, across the continuum of one’s professional journey.
Respect
We treat all people with courtesy and compassion and we encourage open and courageous conversations.
Collaboration
We value the benefits of synergy, sharing experiences, and building relationships.
Inclusion
We embrace similarities and differences between people from every walk of life. We endeavour to deliver a balanced and diverse program.
FIP Workforce Development Goals
As an associate member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), we are committed to developing the pharmacy workforce to deliver best patient care.
Our Colloquium progresses the following FIP Workforce Development Goals:
WDG 1 – Academic Capacity
WDG 3 – Quality Assurance
WDG 7 – Service provision and workforce education and training
WDG 8 - Working with others
