LINC Programs & Projects
LINC Interprofessional Education Plans
To support integration of an increasing number of IPE activities into curricula, and in accordance with recommendations from the Health Professions Accreditors Collaborative (HPAC) consensus guideline for developing quality IPE within the health professions, the LINC Academic Affairs Council spearheads the annual development, approval, and study of 12 IPE Plans across the institution. IPE Plans include universal elements shared by all students at UT Health San Antonio, such as foundational learning experiences and student learning outcomes measures, as well as unique elements customized to meet targeted needs.
LINC Longitudinal IPE Program
The LINC Longitudinal IPE Program is a series of three university-wide IPE activities strategically designed and sequenced to target specific interprofessional education outcomes. Students complete each university wide IPE activity in interprofessional groups of 3-5. Interactivity is emphasized as student groups work through various assignments, including interprofessional socialization activities, mini-lectures, illustrated case studies, video case studies, and interprofessional discussions rooted in problem-based learning.
LINC Core IPE Measurement Plan
The LINC Core IPE Measurement Plan provides the foundation for all IPE-focused student learning outcomes measurement at UT Health San Antonio. Our approach consists of four tools administered at three timepoints in a student’s academic career. In accordance with the Institute of Medicine’s Interprofessional Learning Continuum Model, these valid and reliable tools measure changes in students’ reactions, attitudes/perceptions, skills and behavior related to IPE and teamwork.
LINC IPE Activity Repository
The LINC IPE Activity Repository is a searchable catalogue of all IPE activities offered at UT Health San Antonio. Activities are categorized into two IPE types: curricular (e.g., credit-bearing courses, clerkships) and co-curricular (volunteer experiences enhancing learning/professional development; and five IPE sub-types: classroom (in-person and online), simulation (in-person and online), clinical (practical experiences in patient care settings), community (practical experiences without direct patient care), and blended (meet criteria for more than one IPE sub-type). Faculty or staff leaders of IPE activities at UT Health San Antonio who are not represented in the repository but would like to be are encouraged to contact Jackie Belizaire, LINC Program Manager, at belizairej1@uthscsa.edu.
Community of LINC Scholars
The Community of LINC Scholars meets regularly to facilitate interaction, engagement and collaboration amongst LINC contributors. First authors of LINC-related publications are recognized at Community of LINC Scholars events, followed by an overview of upcoming scholarly dissemination opportunities, such as abstract submission deadlines for regional, national, and international IPE-focused conferences. Opportunities for interprofessional networking and socialization are provided, as well as important updates from across the LINC organization.
LINC Seed Grant Program
In years when institutional funds are available, LINC invites applications from UT Health San Antonio faculty and staff requesting financial support for pilot projects designed to advance IPE. Support ranging from $500 to $5000 is available through the program for projects demonstrating potential in terms of future scalability, sustainability, extramural support and integration into programs’ curricula. In addition to demonstrating innovations in IPE, funded projects must formally investigate effectiveness through a robust assessment of desired outcomes. A well-defined plan to disseminate findings and use pilot data to seek extramural funding is expected. To date, $125,456 has been awarded for 27 projects involving 96 investigators and collaborators.
LINC Interprofessional Case Competition
LINC regularly hosts an Interprofessional Case Competition. In recent years, teams of 3-4 students representing two or more educational programs from two or more schools at UT Health San Antonio have applied IPE knowledge and skills to develop innovative solutions to healthcare problems throughout Texas. Top-scoring teams receive recognition and prize money. For questions about past and/or upcoming competitions, please contact Jackie Belizaire, LINC Program Manager, at belizairej1@uthscsa.edu.