Teaching empathy in an interprofessional setting with a focus on decategorization: Introducing I-Team

Background: The Interprofessional Training in Empathy, Affect, & Mindfulness (I-TEAM) was designed to promote and cultivate collectivity and a sense of shared identity and values among health profession students. Purpose: This study showcases the theoretical foundation, evaluation-based protocol, and findings of the pilot I-TEAM program. Method: To evaluate the impact of the pilot offering of I-TEAM, we employed a rigorous multimethod protocol consisting of surveys (pre and post), observations, and interviews. Discussion: Students significantly improved in empathy, and positively shifted their perceptions of other health professions. Moreover, student-oriented goals for the program and fundamental aspects of the IPEC competencies were shown to be addressed through the I-TEAM program. Conclusion: Centralizing an interprofessional program on the principles of decategorization and shared experiences, may have a positive impact on students’ perceptions of other health professions as well as ability and willingness to connect with others on an emotional and cognitive level (i.e. empathy).