How can you ensure your interprofessional interventions are effective?
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Interprofessional interventions are collaborative actions that involve different health professionals working together to improve patient outcomes. They can be challenging to implement, especially when working with physicians who may have different perspectives, preferences, and priorities. However, there are some strategies that can help you ensure your interprofessional interventions are effective and respectful.
One of the first steps to successful interprofessional interventions is to understand the roles and scopes of practice of each team member, including the physicians. This can help you avoid role confusion, duplication, or conflict, and identify the best person to lead or perform a specific task. You can also learn from the expertise and experience of others, and appreciate their contributions to patient care. To understand the roles and scopes of practice, you can use tools such as the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies, the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (NEXUS) resources, or the Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC) framework.
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Paresh Dawda
Director and Principal Prestantia Health and Next Practice Canberra
As health systems mature the scope of practice may evolve for different health professionals. For example, different professionals such as pharmacists and nurses can prescribe or administer immunisations. Therefore, overlapping roles and responsibilities may occur. Paying attention to a joined-up approach to care, principles of effective teamwork and teaming become more critical.
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Dr. Sravanthi Rampalli
MBA student at IU, Berlin
In my clinical experience, I have learnt a very simple and useful principle which I had practiced as well. "Health clinics don't have any place for "Ego". Keep it outside and enter"! This is something patients have taught me. They value treatment expertise from health care professionals. So, to provide them the best care possible, one has to understand their own boundaries and limitations and let other professions display their expertise. At the end of the day, what will matter is whether the patient has received the best treatment possible and not "Which doctor did what and how much!" Treatment protocol in healthcare industry is a result of "Collaboration" between industry experts and not "Competition" between them!
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Another key factor for effective interprofessional interventions is to communicate clearly and respectfully with the physicians and other team members. This means using common language, avoiding jargon or acronyms, and confirming understanding. It also means listening actively, acknowledging different opinions, and expressing your own views constructively. You can use communication models such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), or IPASS (Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation awareness and contingency planning, Synthesis by receiver) to structure your messages and ensure clarity and consistency.
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Dr. Sravanthi Rampalli
MBA student at IU, Berlin
One thing I've found helpful is to have an easy "dialogue" and not a "monologue" or giving away directives of action! Communication is a two-way street with equal opportunity to listen and respect others' ideas. Effective communication is critical to good healthcare. Good communication skills are required by all healthcare professionals. Active listening, responding appropriately to patient’s needs/ concerns, properly assessing body language, and possessing a non-judgmental attitude are all necessary skills that healthcare workers need to possess. Effective communication between healthcare professionals should be clear, timely, & discrete. A simple, clear and respectful communication is key for a strong collaboration which goes a long way!
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Paresh Dawda
Director and Principal Prestantia Health and Next Practice Canberra
Communication can be synchronous or asynchronous. All communication needs be clear and respectful and using a shared structured mental model such as ISBAR is useful. There are many such models. The Aussie Guide to Clinical Handover Improvement offers a useful implementation approach. (https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/ossie-guide-clinical-handover-improvement). The structured mental models provide a framework on what to handover. However, the modes of communication vary. Some examples are: 1. Written - Letter, Email, SMS etc 2. Warm handover - in person and usually face to face but could be virtual too 3. Team huddles
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A third strategy to ensure your interprofessional interventions are effective is to align your goals and expectations with the physicians and other team members. This means having a shared vision of the desired outcomes, and agreeing on the roles, responsibilities, and timelines of each team member. It also means being flexible, adaptable, and open to feedback, and adjusting your plans as needed. You can use tools such as SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals, action plans, or checklists to align your goals and expectations and monitor your progress.
A fourth strategy to ensure your interprofessional interventions are effective is to collaborate and coordinate with the physicians and other team members. This means working together as a cohesive unit, rather than as isolated individuals or groups. It also means sharing information, resources, and expertise, and supporting each other's work. You can use tools such as huddles, rounds, or handovers to collaborate and coordinate your activities and ensure continuity and quality of care.
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Dr. Sravanthi Rampalli
MBA student at IU, Berlin
In my experience, patients value comprehensive treatment expertise from healthcare professionals and prefer to receive care at one place like multi-specialty hospitals. To provide the best care possible, it is important for healthcare professionals to let other professions display their expertise and appreciate them by utilizing their skills for the greater good of the patient. What matters most is whether the patient has received the best comprehensive treatment possible without any hassle of visiting multiple clinics. Treatment protocols in the healthcare industry are a result of collaboration between industry experts because addressing patient's overall health with ease of accessibility of healthcare services takes precedence above all.
A fifth strategy to ensure your interprofessional interventions are effective is to evaluate and reflect on your performance and outcomes. This means measuring the impact of your interventions on patient outcomes, team functioning, and organizational goals. It also means identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of your interprofessional practice, and seeking feedback from the physicians and other team members. You can use tools such as surveys, audits, or portfolios to evaluate and reflect on your interprofessional interventions and identify areas for improvement.
A sixth and final strategy to ensure your interprofessional interventions are effective is to learn and grow from your experiences and feedback. This means applying the lessons learned from your evaluation and reflection, and engaging in continuous professional development. It also means seeking opportunities to enhance your interprofessional skills, knowledge, and attitudes, and to expand your network and relationships with the physicians and other team members. You can use tools such as courses, workshops, webinars, or mentoring to learn and grow as an interprofessional practitioner.