IHD Journal Watch: Interprofessional Education and Collaboration

Journal Source: Sullivan M, Kiovsky RD, Mason DJ, Hill CD, Dukes C. Interprofessional collaboration and education. AJN, 2015 Mar; 115(3): 47–54.

Interprofessional collaboration is based on the premise that when providers and patients communicate and consider each other’s unique perspectives, they can better address the multiple factors that influence the health of individuals, families and communities. 

However, shifting the culture of healthcare away from the “silo” system, in which clinicians operate independently of one another, and toward collaboration has been attempted before without enduring success. For nearly five decades a commitment to interprofessional learning has waxed and waned in health professions training programs. Strong and convincing outcome data demonstrating the value of team-based care have been lacking, but changes in our healthcare system now require that we explore how we can make interprofessional collaboration the norm instead of the exception.

In 2013, a conference brought together health educators and practice leaders to focus on aligning interprofessional education and clinical practice redesign amid the changes brought about by healthcare reform. During the conference, a vision emerged of “a healthcare system in which learners and practitioners across the professions are working collaboratively with patients, families and communities and with each other to accomplish the Triple Aim.” Participants also developed these five recommendations:

• Engage patients, families and communities in the design, implementation, improvement and evaluation of efforts to link interprofessional education and collaborative practice.
• Accelerate the design, implementation and evaluation of innovative models linking interprofessional education and collaborative practice.
• Reform the education and career development of health professionals to incorporate interprofessional learning and team-based care.
• Revise regulatory standards and practices to permit and promote innovation in interprofessional education and collaborative practice.
• Realign resources to establish and sustain linkage between interprofessional education and collaborative practice.

Analysis

As the Baby Boom generation moves into retirement, demand on the healthcare system will dramatically change. Predicted physician and nursing shortages will most likely lead to more reliance on other care providers. Too often, the “scope creep” discussion leads to professionals digging heels into the dirt to protect turf.

Achieving the Triple Aim in today’s accountable healthcare environment requires effective patient care transition across the continuum. Patients expect it, payers require it, accrediting agencies verify it. Learning how to work together with the patient at the center of a “hub of care” is somewhat contrary to the traditional “tube of excellence” approach to patient care.

Kudos to the AJN for highlighting the steps necessary to not only enhance clinical collaboration, but even educational collaboration. When professionals share educational experiences, relationships and trust can be built to the benefit of the patient and the entire healthcare system.

Matt Zavadsky, MS-HSA, EMT, is the public affairs director at MedStar Mobile Healthcare in Ft. Worth, Tex.