Interprofessional Education

Q: Recovery Zone Treatment Tables at the IMT Des Moines Marathon

Students in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine , Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs can provide recovery and treatment services to participants of the IMT Des Moines Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. This hands-on interprofessional experience takes place each fall and allows students to support community wellness while applying clinical skills in a real-world event setting.

Q: Baseline Concussion Testing

Students in the DO, DPT, PA, OTD and DPM programs participate in baseline concussion testing for athletes. Conducted each fall, this activity helps students learn how concussion assessments establish a healthy baseline that can be used to identify changes following a potential injury and support informed patient care decisions.

Q: A Structured Exploration Game of Health Care Roles Through Interviews and Reflection

Students in the DO, DPM, DPT, PA and OTD programs participate in a semester-long interactive experience designed to deepen understanding of health care professions. Through structured interviews and reflective activities, participants explore the roles and responsibilities of other providers while building skills for effective interprofessional collaboration.

Two DMU students assist a runner with stretches at the DMU Des Moines Marathon recovery zone.

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences believes that interprofessional education is critical to developing well-rounded and collaborative health care professionals. We are committed to providing our community with the necessary skills to succeed in an interprofessional healthcare environment. Our training prepares learners to appreciate the roles and responsibilities of a variety of health care professionals and value and demonstrate teamwork.

Because we believe in the power of collaboration, IPE experiences are required for most of DMU’s degree programs.

IPE Offerings at DMU

Interprofessional education occurs when students from different professional backgrounds learn with, from and about each other. By working together, they build the skills and confidence to collaborate effectively and improve health outcomes.

Interprofessional practice occurs when health professionals from different areas come together — alongside patients, families, caregivers and communities — to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

Core IPE Curriculum

	DO	DPM	DPT	PA
Year One 1st Term	DMU IPE Orientation			DMU IPE Orientation, Med Pharm (PIPE)
Year One 2nd Term	DMAIPEC IPE Day			DMAIPEC IPE Day, Concussion
Year Two 1st Term	Med Pharm (PIPE)		Back to School Physicals
Year Two 2nd Term	Concussion	Geriatrics	Concussion

IPE Badge

Required Activities

Complete Core IPE Activities
Requirement for all students

Bronze Level

Core requirements + two co-curricular activities

Silver Level

Bronze requirements + student facilitator or design an IPE event

Gold Level

Silver requirements + IPE scholarship/research

2026-27 Eligible IPE Badge Bronze Level Co-Curricular Activities

Recovery Zone Treatment Tables at the IMT Des Moines Marathon

Students in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs can provide recovery and treatment services to participants of the IMT Des Moines Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. This hands-on interprofessional experience takes place each fall and allows students to support community wellness while applying clinical skills in a real-world event setting.

SKIPPS Session

The Scientific Knowledge Integrated Into Patient Presentations session gives Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies students the opportunity to participate in an interprofessional small-group discussion centered on inborn errors of metabolism. Held in late October, this activity is an opportunity to collaborate with peers, strengthen clinical reasoning skills and explore the value of team-based patient care.

Rural ER Diabetic Simulation Case

Students in the DO, DPM, DPT, PA, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Master of Health Care Administration and Master of Public Health programs work together to care for a simulated patient in a rural emergency room setting. Offered during both the fall and spring semesters, this simulation-based experience develops communication, teamwork and collaborative decision-making skills across health professions.

Baseline Concussion Testing

A Structured Exploration Game of Health Care Roles Through Interviews and Reflection

Measles Activity

Students in the DO, DPM, DPT, PA, OTD and MHA/MPH programs engage in an asynchronous, interactive learning experience that explores the response to a simulated measles outbreak in a small Iowa community. Currently in the pilot stage, this gamified activity highlights the importance of interprofessional collaboration, public health principles and coordinated patient care during community health events.