Last updated on Aug 31, 2024

What are the best ways to promote interprofessional collaboration in your organization?

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is the process of working together with different health professionals to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for patients. IPC can improve patient outcomes, reduce errors, enhance communication, and foster a culture of respect and learning among health professionals. However, IPC is not always easy to achieve, especially in complex and dynamic health care settings. How can you promote IPC in your organization? Here are some best practices to consider.

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1 Define common goals and values

One of the first steps to promote IPC is to establish a shared vision and mission for your team or organization. This can help align the expectations and roles of different health professionals and create a sense of purpose and direction. You can also identify the core values and principles that guide your work, such as patient-centeredness, quality, safety, and ethics. By defining common goals and values, you can foster a culture of trust and mutual respect among your colleagues.

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2 Communicate effectively and respectfully

Communication is essential for IPC, as it enables you to exchange information, coordinate actions, resolve conflicts, and provide feedback. To communicate effectively and respectfully, you need to use clear, concise, and accurate language, listen actively and empathetically, and avoid jargon and assumptions. You also need to respect the opinions and perspectives of others, even if they differ from yours, and acknowledge their contributions and expertise. By communicating effectively and respectfully, you can build rapport and understanding with your colleagues.

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3 Engage in interprofessional education and training

Interprofessional education and training (IPE) is the process of learning with, from, and about other health professionals to enhance your knowledge, skills, and attitudes for IPC. IPE can help you appreciate the roles and responsibilities of other health professionals, understand their scopes of practice and competencies, and recognize the value of their contributions to patient care. You can engage in IPE through formal courses, workshops, simulations, or online modules, or through informal interactions and discussions with your colleagues.

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Angela De Jesus

Quality Control | Medical Laboratory Scientist - Microbiologist | Experienced with Laboratory Regulations, Detail-Oriented, Organized
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Creating a truly collaborative team has to start from day one. As part of orientation, no matter the role, there should be at least a few hours of shadowing every department, followed up with a Q&A with actual workers, not just management providing generalizations. Each department provides very critical pieces of the puzzle that is healthcare for patients, yet many are taken for granted due to primarily working in the background. I personally have provided training to nurses, doctors, and med students about the intricacies of the lab, and the response was always the same. They had no idea about the extent of our schooling requirements or expertise past calling for recollects. As a result, there was a huge increase in Dr/Lab collaboration.

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4 Collaborate in interprofessional teams and networks

Interprofessional teams and networks are groups of health professionals from different disciplines who work together to provide integrated and coordinated care for patients. Collaborating in interprofessional teams and networks can help you deliver patient-centered, holistic, and evidence-based care, as well as share resources, responsibilities, and decision-making. To collaborate effectively in interprofessional teams and networks, you need to establish clear roles and expectations, use shared tools and protocols, and monitor and evaluate your performance and outcomes.

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Angela De Jesus

Quality Control | Medical Laboratory Scientist - Microbiologist | Experienced with Laboratory Regulations, Detail-Oriented, Organized
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It is impossible to be an expert in every single aspect of healthcare. That's why we see a Dermatologist for a rash or an Oncologist for cancer. The same is said for the "auxiliary" aspects of patient care, such as Radiology, Respiratory, and Laboratory, just to name a few. Each specialty is required to have detailed schooling and certifications, that's what makes it a "specialty". Unfortunately, Doctors are under immense pressure to always make the final call in a patients' care, leaving many to feel like failures if they don't have all the answers. This injects pride into patient care resulting in poorer outcomes. Asking for collaboration or review from others should never be looked down on, but instead seen as using your resources.

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Nina I. Hahn

Senior Leader & Executive Coach | Media Consultant | Advisory Board Member | Former Senior Vice President, Paramount
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Interpersonal connection in a team comes from a shared joint vision and voice of the overall goal of the group. Think like a choir and make sure everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. When the group hums as one the individuals create connection organically.

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Dr Joe Drolette

Ed.D., PDC-PFA, PDC-HCL, PDC-Lean Six Sigma | M.Ed, BA
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Collaboration in interprofessional teams strengthens the leadership team by fostering diverse perspectives, enhancing problem-solving capabilities, and promoting more comprehensive decision-making. It encourages shared responsibility, improves communication, and builds trust among team members, leading to a more cohesive and effective leadership team that can better address complex challenges.

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5 Seek feedback and reflection

Feedback and reflection are important for IPC, as they help you improve your practice, learn from your experiences, and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You can seek feedback and reflection from your colleagues, patients, or supervisors, or from yourself through self-assessment or journaling. You can also use feedback and reflection to celebrate your achievements, recognize your challenges, and plan your future actions and goals. By seeking feedback and reflection, you can enhance your competence and confidence for IPC.

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6 Support a culture of learning and innovation

A culture of learning and innovation is one that encourages and supports continuous improvement, creativity, and change for IPC. To support a culture of learning and innovation, you need to embrace diversity and inclusivity, foster curiosity and openness, and promote a growth mindset. You also need to seek and share best practices, evidence, and resources, as well as identify and address gaps and barriers for IPC. By supporting a culture of learning and innovation, you can contribute to the advancement and quality of health care.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to promote interprofessional collaboration in your organization?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define common goals and values

2 Communicate effectively and respectfully

3 Engage in interprofessional education and training

4 Collaborate in interprofessional teams and networks

5 Seek feedback and reflection

6 Support a culture of learning and innovation

7 Here’s what else to consider

Working with Physicians

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What are the best ways to promote interprofessional collaboration in your organization?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define common goals and values

2 Communicate effectively and respectfully

3 Engage in interprofessional education and training

4 Collaborate in interprofessional teams and networks

5 Seek feedback and reflection

6 Support a culture of learning and innovation

7 Here’s what else to consider

Working with Physicians

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