Interprofessional Collaboration

Inter-professional collaboration

Compiled by Alok Bains

Inter-professional collaboration

The medically complex situation is on the rise due to the increasing older population, chronic diseases in society and hectic lifestyle. There is great dependence of healthcare professionals on technology, innovation and uncoordinated delivery systems. For example, individual needs immunization, screening for disease prevention, disease diagnosis, disease monitoring, chronic disease management, psychological support, etc.

The health and well beings of humans as well as their diseases and illnesses are influenced by the health care professionals from various disciplines. These healthcare professionals need to work together in a comprehensive manner in the best interest of human beings. They contribute to enhancing the health of the population. These healthcare professionals work together to provide a high-quality healthcare system to the population. Their combined knowledge and skills will become a powerful mechanism to enhance the health of the population. Inter-professional collaboration provides preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative services to patients.

Inter-professional collaboration may be simple or slightly complex. In simple situations, healthcare professionals consult clients and decide the services required for the client. In slightly complex situations, healthcare professionals work together to identify the types of services required for the client. Inter-professional collaboration is a dynamic process that changes with the situation and services required.

DEFINITION

Working with two or more persons together to achieve the desired outcome is called collaboration.

World Health Organization defines collaborative practices and inter-professional education in the healthcare system.

“When multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds provide comprehensive services by working with patients, their families, caregivers and communities to deliver the highest quality of care across settings are called Collaborative practices.”

Learning two or more professionals of different disciplines from each other and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes is called inter-professional education.

Interprofessional collaboration in healthcare occurs when multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds provide comprehensive services by working with patients, their families, caregivers, and communities to deliver the highest quality of care across settings.

GOAL

To improve collaboration and teamwork among healthcare professionals to enhance patient care and outcomes.

The followings are the key goals of inter-professional collaboration.

1. Enhanced communication: Effective communication among health care professionals from different departments. Such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals.

2. Patient-centred care,

3. Interprofessional Education: To provide opportunities to trainee students and healthcare professionals to improve professional understanding and develop skills as healthcare professionals.

4. Inter-professional collaboration benefits: Inter-professional collaboration connects a team of healthcare professionals with the patient to provide quality health care. Inter-professional collaboration among medical practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, etc delivers personalized care to treat a patient. There will be a broader understanding of the treatment.

Benefits 

The benefits of Inter-professional collaboration can be enumerated below:

1. Quality of care

   • Each healthcare professional will have sufficient time to focus on each patient.

   • Improvement in quality of the patient care and patient outcome,

   • Quick treatment,

   • Reduced medication errors,

   • Efficient use of resources,

2. Education across Department.

   • Improvement in training for trainee health care professionals.

   • Skill development of health care professionals,

   • Reduced inefficiency,

   • Improved job satisfaction with reduced stress and burnout of health professionals.

   • Improved staff relationships,

   • Improved patient and staff morale.

3. Patient centred care

   • A comprehensive, coordinated and safe health system, responsive to the needs of the population.

   • Reduced healthcare costs,

   • Reduced readmission rate.

PROCESS

Interprofessional collaboration involves healthcare professionals from different disciplines and works together to provide comprehensive and patient-centred care to achieve a common goal. Interprofessional collaboration involves following steps.

1. Team building: An interprofessional team consists of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, social workers, etc. Each team member contributes their expertise to address the needs of the patients. They take care of the physical, psychological and health demands of the patients.

   If these team members do not work as a team or there is ambiguity and miscommunication there will be a serious threat to the health of the patient. This collaborative practice is a must to achieve the best result. Healthcare professionals must value each other contributions, respect diverse perspectives and work together in a supportive and trusting environment. This will enhance patient care.

2. Defined roles and responsibilities: Roles and responsibilities of each member of the team should be clearly defined to avoid conflict among members.

3. Communication and information sharing: Effective communication among healthcare professionals is essential for interprofessional collaboration. Team members share relevant information such as medication history, diagnostic results, treatment plan, treatment progress etc. Open and timely communication ensures all team members are appropriately informed and able to provide their contribution.

   There should be an environment and trust and no fear of negative criticism. Healthcare professionals feel free to ask questions to each other. All members should be treated equally to reduce tension and to encourage team members to work efficiently.

4. Collaborative decision-making: Interprofessional team develops and implements the most appropriate treatment plan for the patient. Each team member contributes their knowledge and expertise to reach a consensus.

5. Continuity and coordination: Inter-professional collaboration involves ongoing communication and collaboration throughout the patient’s care journey.

6. Evaluation and feedback: Regular evaluation and feedback identify areas of improvement in interprofessional collaboration. The team should assess their effectiveness, identify the barriers and implement a strategy to enhance collaboration and optimize patient outcomes.

BARRIERS

Interprofessional collaboration is essential to deliver high-quality healthcare services. There are several barriers that affect the effectiveness the interprofessional collaboration in the health care system. These barriers are the following

1. 1. Lack of communication: Poor communication among healthcare professionals is the most significant barrier. This may be due to professional jargon, communication styles or inadequate information sharing. Misunderstanding and misinterpretation lead to conflict among healthcare professionals which will ultimately affect the patient outcome.

2. Role ambiguity: Unclear or overlapping roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals lead to confusion and conflict in the team. Uncertainty about the professional scope of practice and authority reduces the effectiveness of collaboration and decision-making.

3. Hierarchy and power dynamics: Hierarchical structure exists in the health care system. This may create a power imbalance within the system. This hierarchical structure will certainly affect the collaboration working. Healthcare professionals will hesitate to share their opinions and challenge the decision made by a member in a higher position. This will interfere with the free exchange of ideas. This will also block the full utilization of all members’ expertise.

4. Time constraints: Heavy patient load the in hospital, busy working environment in the hospital, and time constraints limit the opportunity for interprofessional collaboration. Healthcare professionals struggle to find time for team meetings, case discussions and joint decision-making. This all leads to limited interaction and collaboration.

5. Professional Silos: Sometimes health care professionals work within their own professional silos. They focus solely on their own specific areas of expertise. This led to a lack of understanding and appreciation for the role and contribution of other team members.

6. Inadequate resources: Limited availability of resources also hinders interprofessional collaboration. Without resources, healthcare professionals struggle to work together effectively and to provide comprehensive services to patients.

7. Resistance to change: Reluctant to adopt new practices and approaches negatively affects interprofessional collaboration. Some healthcare professionals may hesitate to accept the collaborative model. They prefer an individualistic approach to delivering health care services.

These barriers must be addressed properly to promote a collaborative culture, enhance communication channel, clarifies the role and responsibility of each healthcare professional, availability of adequate resources, and support interprofessional collaboration. Educational initiative, training programs, and leadership commitment are also essential for a collaborative environment in the health care system.