Initial findings from the TUILIP (Trent Universities Interprofessional Learning in Practice) Project

This paper reports on initial findings from the Trent Universities Interprofessional Learning in Practice (TUILIP) project. The main aim of this project is to develop sustainable models of interprofessional learning (IPL) that will develop and enhance the professional skills of students through collaborative working within practice settings. The project entails the collaboration of two Universities involving NHS Trusts across the Trent Region in the UK, and students from 13 health and social professions. The project plan is to establish eight pilot sites providing a range of IPL opportunities for all students on placement (Armitage et al., 2008). The project is responsive to the work of Barr (2000) who found that workbased IPL was markedly more likely than college-based teaching to improve the quality of service and bring direct benefits to service users. In addition ‘‘Creating an Interprofessional Workforce’’ has recently reported that IPL should be firmly embedded in practice learning. (Department of Health, 2007)