Report of visit to WHO HQGunma University Centre for Research and Training on Interprofessional Education(WHO Collaborating Centre)

1. Details
Term: 20-22 February, 2017
Venue: WHO/HQ, Geneva, Switzerland
Participants from WHO Collaborating Centre (the Centre)
 Dr. Hideomi Watanabe, Professor
 Dr. Akinori Kama, Professor
 Dr. Hiromitsu Shinozaki, Professor
 Dr. Hiroki Matsui, Associate Professor
 Dr. Yoshiharu Tokita, Assistant Professor
  (temporary assignment to WHO/HQ/HIS/SDS as a volunteer)

2. Meeting with Dr. Hajime Inoue
 Prof. Watanabe expressed deep appreciation to Dr. Inoue, Assistant Director General, for taking care of Dr. Tokita and his works at WHO. Prof. Watanabe also explained that Gunma University has a plan to establish new department of Patient Safety in school and to incorporate a patient safety program into Interprofessional Education (IPE) course. Dr. Inoue accepted the plan and advised us that the detailed plan should be discussed in relationship with staff of department of Service Delivery and Safety (SDS).
 
3. Meeting with Director and staff of Health Workforce (HWF).

 The Centre explained the activities and outcomes as a WHO CC during first designation (2013-2016) and also explained a plan of IPE activity during second designation (2017-2021). HWF staff acknowledged the role of the Centre in IPE activities and encouraged to participate in 4th global forum on HRH from November 13rd to 17th 2017 in Dublin and UHC forum on December 12nd at WHO Kobe centre. Moreover, HWF staff suggested JIPWEN to provide the IPE initiatives in collaboration with other WHO CCs.
 
4. Meeting with Director of Service Delivery and Safety (SDS)

 Prof. Watanabe expressed deep appreciation to Director of Service Delivery and Safety (SDS) for supervising Dr. Tokita and his accomplishments in the SDS. The Centre also explained our activities as a WHO CC and the role of IPE for the patient safety. SDS director recognized the Centre’s activities and supported us to collaborate with SDS in term of developing the Interprofessional teamwork training program for patient safety and teamwork competency framework for patient safety.
 

5. Meeting with staff of Service Organization and Clinical Interventions (SCI) unit,
   Universal Health Coverage and Quality (QHC) unit,
   and Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Unit (PSQ) unit.

 PProf. Watanabe was grateful for each coordinator of SCI, QHC and PSQ unit for supervising Dr. Tokita and his works in the unit. The Centre also explained our activities as a WHO CC and the role of IPE. Each unit coordinator appreciated Dr. Tokita’s efforts and explained his working theme and overview of the unit scope of work. All coordinator also mentioned that the unit hoped to continue the collaboration with the Centre.

 


6. Meeting with WHO staff from Japanese Government/national universities

 The Centre mission had a fruitful discussion with WHO staff from Japanese local government and national universities. JIPWEN also discussed towards collaboration with each WHO CC as a CC network.

                         27 March, 2017
                            On behalf of mission members:
                                   Dr. Hiroki Matsui