Qatar University's (QU) health sector hosted the 10th edition of the Annual Interprofessional Education (IPE) Forum for Health Professions Students under the theme, 'Advancing Women’s Health Through Interprofessional Collaboration.'
The aim was to strengthen the concept of collaborative practices among various health professions, contributing to the advancement of women's healthcare services and fostering greater integration among health professionals.
The keynote address by Dr Sandra L Holmes, director of Nursing at Sidra Medicine, emphasised the importance of interprofessional collaboration in enhancing women’s healthcare services.
A key highlight of the forum was the Interprofessional Team Challenge, where student teams developed and presented collaborative care strategies for managing high-risk pre-eclampsia cases, presenting real-world case studies on handling critical conditions through co-ordinated efforts.
The event also included a real-life patient experience, presented by Marian Kapiri, CPD evaluation specialist at QU Health. She shared her personal journey of pre-eclampsia, emphasising the crucial role of interprofessional collaboration in patient recovery.
In the Interprofessional Debate Challenge, students critically examined the impact of social media on weight stigma and the perception of anti-obesity medications in women’s health. The forum also featured Interprofessional Talks, featuring students from various health professions who shared insights on nursing, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, nutrition, and the broader impact of health professionals beyond traditional clinical settings.
Prof Mohamed Ahmedna, associate vice president for Health and Medical Sciences at QU, said: “The excellent programme and strong student participation are responsive to QU Health’s mission to train the next generation of health professionals who can work effectively across disciplines, navigate the complex challenges of healthcare delivery, and ultimately drive positive change in health outcomes through patient-centred care.”
Dr Alla El-Awaisi, adviser to the vice president for Health and Medical Sciences and head of the IPE Programme at QU Health, said: "The IPE Forum has grown into a cornerstone event, shaping the future of health by fostering teamwork, innovation, and patient-centred care.”
Abdulla Fareed al-Emadi, president of IPESA and student at the College of Medicine at QU, said: "Ten years ago, students from various health colleges across Qatar came together for the first time to explore the power of interprofessional education, and today, I am honoured to lead this exceptional edition of the forum. I would also like to acknowledge the past presidents — Myriam El-Jam, Sawsan al-Mukdad, and Jawaher Baraka — whose leadership and vision have been integral to this event’s success and growth.”
