Interprofessional learning community: Educating dietetic and other health profession students through an interdisciplinary, service-learning experience

Dietetic professionals require education and experience to work effectively in interprofessional settings. An interdisciplinary team of faculty created a nonresidential learning community (LC) for students with upper-class standing (nutrition, nursing, social work, and child and family studies). The LC included academic, social, cultural, interprofessional, and service-learning experiences. The LC discussions focused on cultural awareness/competence, policy advocacy, and global health and disparity issues. The service-learning experiences successfully challenged the students' interprofessional competencies and contributed to the goal of creating community partnerships. The development, implementation, and sustainability of an interprofessional LC are contingent upon a variety of administrative, cultural, and academic factors.