Which four items comprise the core competencies of interprofessional education (IPE)?

• A. Roles and responsibilities; Values and ethics; Teams and teamwork
• B. Roles and responsibilities; Values and ethics; Teams and teamwork; Collaboration
• C. Roles and responsibilities; Values and ethics; Teams and teamwork; Communication
• D. Roles and responsibilities; Values and ethics; Teams and teamwork; Professional development

Answer: (C)

Interprofessional education relies on four core competencies that together enable effective teamwork in patient care. These are values and ethics for interprofessional practice, roles and responsibilities, interprofessional communication, and teams and teamwork. The correct choice lists all four domains: roles and responsibilities, values and ethics, teams and teamwork, and communication (interprofessional communication). This combination is essential because clear, respectful information exchange (communication) ties together understanding each profession’s role, aligning ethical standards, and functioning smoothly as a coordinated team.

Other options go off by adding concepts not part of the official four or by omitting the critical communication domain. For example, introducing a separate “collaboration” idea or “professional development” while missing interprofessional communication disrupts the established framework that ensures not only working together but doing so with shared values, clear roles, and coordinated teamwork.