Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The Heart and Soul of Health Care
Section snippets
Definition
Interdisciplinary collaboration has been named and defined in the literature in a variety of ways. Terms used to name or describe this behavior include collaboration, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, interprofessional, and team-focused collaboration [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. Several definitions for these terms also exist.
In 1972, the National Joint Practice Commission defined joint practice as nurses and physicians collaborating as colleagues to provide team-focused patient care [6]. Stout
Drivers
Although formalization of collaboration did not occur until the 1970s, efforts to optimize teamwork in primary and long-term settings dates back to 1940 [10]. Recent focus, however, has shifted to high-risk areas, such as ICUs, emergency departments (EDs), and operating rooms (ORs). Changes in health and social policy, in particular changes in management practices, have provided external drivers for interprofessional collaboration. These often have been experienced as uncomfortable pressures,
Barriers
Despite several decades of awareness of the positive impact of interdisciplinary collaboration, barriers continue to exist that prevent optimal implementation. These barriers focus on changing team structure, communication breakdown, lack of time, divergent value systems, role ambiguity, lack of skill sets, and variance in educational focus.
In ICUs, a variety of disciplines are necessary to provide complex care. A core team can be as small as two to four people. Examples of a core team are the
Solutions
Although many barriers exist, the goal of collaboration is attainable. Defining how minds actually interact in a clinical team and having a clear understanding of team structure and function are essential first steps for building successful interdisciplinary collaboration [41]. Therefore, each member should believe that collaboration results in excellent patient care with tangible benefits to patients and the collaborative partners. To achieve this, members must respect the contributions of
Summary
Interprofessional collaboration has the potential to be a catalyst for professional development [5]. To be such, collaborative team members must view the relationships from a supportive perspective. Participants have to believe that collaboration promotes excellent patient care. A mutual respect for each profession's contribution toward patient care is necessary along with willingness and desire to collaborate. Additionally, effective communication, identification of compatible and dissimilar
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