Developing Interprofessional Primary Care Teams: Alumni Evaluation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education Program

PURPOSE: The Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education (CoEPCE) is an interprofessional graduate training program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this project, we describe career paths of CoEPCE graduates, their perceptions of CoEPCE program value, their overall satisfaction with the training, and suggestions for program improvement to enhance interprofessional education and workforce development. METHODS: The Graduate Participant Survey was developed and administered in 2018 to CoEPCE graduates from 2012 to 2017. Quantitative data from closed-ended questions were analyzed through descriptive and non-parametric statistics to test for significant differences by profession. Qualitative data from the single open-ended question were analyzed using content analysis with inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 180 graduates. Greater proportions of pharmacists and psychologists than nurse practitioners and physicians were employed in VA, and greater proportions of nurse practitioners and pharmacists than physicians and psychologists were employed in primary care. Although smaller proportions of physicians were currently employed in primary care (P < .0001), a greater proportion completed advanced training programs (P < .0001). Overall, graduates perceived that their CoEPCE training was highly valued by advanced training programs and employers and improved their chances of finding a job. They reported high levels of satisfaction (mean = 4.3 ± 0.9 out of 5 total) with the training program, continued to use skills they learned during training, and believe their CoEPCE experiences made them better health care providers. CONCLUSIONS: Ninety-four percent of the CoEPCE graduates were employed at the VA and/or primary care at the completion of their training, although there were significant differences by profession. Graduates continued to practice interprofessional skills learned during their training and were highly satisfied with the program. Taken together, the findings indicate that continued enhancements to the interprofessional clinical learning environment are warranted.