Interprofessional collaboration and education is important in health care, and has the goals of increasing positive patient outcomes and satisfaction, improving the health of the population, reducing health care costs, and increasing job satisfaction of health care professionals (Ash & Miller, 2016; Vega & Bernard, 2016). Interprofessional collaboration is a process in which all members of the health care team contribute and integrate their strengths, knowledge, and experiences into the partnership, with the shared goal of improving health outcomes (Ash & Miller, 2016).

Interprofessional teams can include members of various health care disciplines, such as physicians, nurses, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), respiratory therapists, social workers, physical/occupational therapists, and case managers, to name a few. Those who are needed to coordinate and optimize the care of patient and improve system outcomes should be included in the team, as each profession can bring strengths to the process. While physicians are traditionally seen as the leader of the health care team, APRNs can assume the role of team leader in interprofessional collaboration, as they are equipped with the knowledge and training in health and science, “but also because of their comprehension of organizational and systems improvements, outcome evaluation processes, health care policy, and leadership (Ashe & Miller, 2016, p. 127). Team members should act with respect and trust, openness, and shared responsibility and decision-making when working toward the same goal (Ash & Miller, 2016).

While the idea of interprofessional collaboration has been proven to be successful, the creation of such teams is still not as common as it should be (Naylor, 2011). There are barriers to establishing collaboration, such as the culture of health care, reimbursement, and a lack of knowledge of the scope and role of each contributing profession (Ash & Miller, 2016; Vega & Bernard, 2016). The traditional culture of health care is a hierarchy of professions that work independently, thereby dampening coordination of care (Vega & Bernard, 2016). Changing culture can be difficult, but proper education and training of all health care professionals in creating collaborative partnerships can help.

There are several ways to encourage and promote interprofessional collaboration. One major driver in establishing partnerships is effective communication, which improves teamwork, and thus, reduces errors and improves patient outcomes (Vega & Bernard, 2016). One technique of effective communication commonly used in the health care setting is SBAR, or Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2016). It is a technique that offers a concise but complete communication about a problem to foster timely intervention. Another way to improve interprofessional collaboration is to incorporate leadership models during interprofessional education, such as the Lean Model, into interprofessional education. The philosophy of the Lean method is to reduce waste (wait times, etc.) in order to provide the most value for patients (Lawal et al., 2014). The Lean Model is one of continuous change and improvement that empowers and holds responsible every team member to contribute in problem-solving and decision-making (Wojciechowski, Pearsall, Murphy, & French, 2016). While this model is typically utilized in the manufacturing industry, it holds promise for use in the health care sector in establishing interprofessional collaboration and education (Wojciechowski, Pearsall, Murphy, & French, 2016).

References

Ash, L. & Miller, C. (2016). Interprofessional collaboration for improving patient and population health. In S. M. DeNisco & A. M. Barker, Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for the profession (3^rd ed., pp. 123-151). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2016). SBAR toolkit. Retrieved from

http://www.ihi.org/resources/pages/tools/sbartoolkit.aspx

Lawal, A. K., Rotter, T., Kinsman, L., Sari, N., Harrison, L., Jeffery, C., … Flynn, R. (2014). Lean management in health care: definition, concepts, methodology and effects reported (systematic review protocol). Systematic Reviews, 3, 103. http://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-3-103

Naylor, M. D. (2011). Viewpoint: Interprofessional collaboration and the future of health care. Retrieved from

https://www.americannursetoday.com/viewpoint-interprofessional-collaboration-and-the-future-of-health-care/

Vega, C. P. & Bernard, V. (2016). Interprofessional collaboration to improve health care: An introduction. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/857823

Wojciechowski, E., Pearsall, T., Murphy, P., & French, E. (2016). A case review: Integrating Lewin’s theory with Lean’s system approach for change. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 21(2). Retrieved from

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-21-2016/No2-May-2016/Integrating-Lewins-Theory-with-Leans-System-Approach.html 

Interprofessional Collaboration Example Essay

SAMPLE ANSWER

Interprofessional collaboration and education in healthcare

Healthcare is a complex and ever-changing field, and one of the most important aspects of providing quality care is interprofessional collaboration. Healthcare professionals must be able to work together effectively to provide the best possible care for patients. Interprofessional collaboration and education are essential for preparing healthcare professionals to meet the challenges of the 21st century. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of interprofessional collaboration and education in healthcare.

What is interprofessional collaboration?

Interprofessional collaboration occurs when health care professionals from different disciplines work together to provide comprehensive patient care. By working together, health care professionals can share their knowledge and expertise to provide the best possible care for patients.

Interprofessional collaboration is essential to providing quality patient care. When health care professionals from different disciplines work together, they can share their knowledge and expertise to provide the best possible care for patients. By collaborating, health care professionals can identify gaps in patient care and develop solutions to improve outcomes.

Interprofessional collaboration can also help to improve communication between health care providers and patients. When providers from different disciplines work together, they can share information more effectively and ensure that all members of the healthcare team are on the same page. This can lead to better coordination of care and improved patient outcomes.

The benefits of interprofessional collaboration

Interprofessional collaboration is a key element of healthcare education and delivery. By working together, healthcare professionals can provide better care for patients and improve outcomes.

There are many benefits to interprofessional collaboration, including:

-Improved patient care: When healthcare professionals work together, they can share information and expertise to provide better care for patients.

-Reduced errors: By collaborating, healthcare professionals can catch errors before they occur.

-Improved communication: Collaboration among healthcare professionals can improve communication between providers and patients.

-Increased satisfaction: Healthcare professionals who collaborate often report increased job satisfaction.

The challenges of interprofessional collaboration

Interprofessional collaboration is a key factor in providing quality patient care. However, there are challenges that can impede effective collaboration. These challenges include:

-Lack of communication and coordination among team members
-Different professional backgrounds and perspectives
-Hierarchical structure of healthcare organizations
-Competing priorities and time constraints

Effective interprofessional collaboration can help to overcome these challenges and improve patient care.

Strategies for successful interprofessional collaboration

There are many strategies that can promote successful interprofessional collaboration in healthcare. Some of these include:

1. Clearly defining roles and responsibilities: All members of the healthcare team should have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to the care of the patient. This will help to avoid confusion and duplication of effort.

2. Promoting communication and mutual respect: Good communication is essential for effective interprofessional collaboration. Members of the team should respect each other’s expertise and opinions, and work together to find the best solution for the patient.

3. Encouraging teamwork: Teamwork is essential for successful interprofessional collaboration. All members of the team should be willing to work together towards a common goal.

4. Planning and problem-solving: Effective planning and problem-solving can help to prevent or resolve conflicts between team members. Collaborative decision-making will also help to ensure that all members of the team are on board with any decisions made about the care of the patient.

Interprofessional education in healthcare

Interprofessional education (IPE) in healthcare is when students from different health professions learn about, and work together on, healthcare teams. IPE has been shown to improve patient safety and quality of care, as well as communication and teamwork among healthcare providers.

Healthcare is a complex and ever-changing field, and it is important for providers to be able to work together effectively. IPE can help prepare providers for the real-world challenges of working in a healthcare setting.

There are a number of different ways to deliver IPE, including classroom-based instruction, simulations, and clinical experiences. Classroom-based instruction can be used to teach basic concepts of team dynamics and communication. Simulations can provide more hands-on experience with working in a healthcare team. Clinical experiences can give students the opportunity to see firsthand how different health professions work together in a real-world setting.

IPE is an important part of preparing future healthcare providers for the challenges of working in a complex and ever-changing field.