Physician assistant (PA) students who train in the early 21st century are being prepared as never before for interprofessional practice (IPP) via interprofessional education (IPE) (Box 10.1). IPE is a newer concept in medical education; therefore, PAs who graduated only a few years ago will not have had the same experience in IPE as current students and doctors. Working as a part of a team with other professions is so important that the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant states that the PA curriculum must include “instruction to prepare students to work collaboratively in interprofessional patient centered teams … [and] include opportunities for students to apply these principles.” Other health profession education accrediting bodies have similar requirements.

This chapter is designed to introduce PA students to IPP and IPE. Because instruction in IPP and IPE is a newer approach, do not be surprised if you bring something new to settings that don’t currently use interprofessional teams. Feel free to discuss these concepts with preceptors and employers, but avoid being judgmental with them. This chapter will provide you with the basic principles of IPE as well as practical ways to implement the competencies in the clinical environment as a student and as a PA.