Study Notes on Interprofessional Care

IPC (Interprofessional Care)

IPC is defined as the provision of comprehensive health services to patients by multiple health caregivers who work collaboratively to deliver quality care within and across settings.

Interprofessional Collaboration

Interprofessional Collaboration involves teamwork and discussion with other professions that allows for interprofessional care.

Interprofessional Education

Interprofessional Education serves as the foundation for collaboration and care, enabling various professions to learn together, thereby building knowledge of each other and improving abilities to communicate and function as a team.

Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate between interprofessional collaboration and intraprofessional collaboration.

  • Explain the benefits of interprofessional care when treating patients.

  • List and explain the six IPC Competencies.

Reflect on Your IPE (Interprofessional Education) Experience

  • Consider the following reflective questions:

    • What did you enjoy most about the IPE event?

    • What was one interesting thing you learned?

    • What themes would you like to see explored in future events?

Importance of IPC

Why is IPC Important?

  • Focuses on addressing the increasing complexity of patient care.

  • Acknowledges that no single profession can adequately address all of a patient's needs.

  • The central focus of IPC is the patient and their family.

  • The improvement in quality of care is the ultimate goal, achieved through understanding each profession’s roles and responsibilities and working collaboratively.

Current Approach in Health Care

  • The current approach to IPC is directed at the patient and involves various health professionals, including:

    • Paramedics

    • Nursing staff

    • Personal Support Workers (PSW)

    • Pharmacy Technicians

    • Occupational and Physiotherapy Assistants (OTA/PTA)

    • Individual and Family support services

    • Early Childhood Development professionals

    • Funeral Services workers

    • Social Service Workers

    • Kinesiology professionals.

Collaborative Practice

Definition

Collaborative Practice refers to healthcare workers working together across different professions and with patients and their families.

Key Requirements

  • Trust among healthcare workers.

  • Valuing contributions of others.

  • Comfort in asking questions and learning in an environment without fear of being judged or feeling unknowledgeable.

Benefits of Collaborative Practice

  • Increased trust and respect among healthcare workers.

  • Greater comfort in seeking answers from colleagues.

  • Enhanced sharing of information.

  • Recognition that all healthcare providers contribute to patient care.

  • Support for one another in learning from mistakes and improving practices.

  • Celebration of successes as a team.

IPC Competencies

The six IPC competencies as outlined in the CIHC Competency Framework 2010 include:

  1. Interprofessional Communication

    • Actively listen to team members, including patients and families.

    • Establish communication principles for teamwork.

    • Develop trusting relationships.

    • Communicate to ensure common understanding of decisions made.

    • Use technology effectively and appropriately.

  2. Patient/Client/Family/Community-Centered Care

    • Seek out and integrate input from patients, families, or the community.

    • Listen respectfully to their expressed needs.

    • Treat them as partners in care.

    • Share information to facilitate participation in decision-making.

    • Ensure required education and support is provided.

  3. Role Clarification

    • Understand your own role and that of other professions.

    • Recognize and respect the diversity of others' roles, responsibilities, and competencies.

    • Communicate roles, knowledge, and skills appropriately.

    • Consult with others to access their skills.

  4. Team Functioning

    • Grasp how teams develop and function.

    • Set principles for respectful collaboration.

    • Facilitate discussions and interactions among team members.

    • Actively participate in team dynamics.

    • Reflect and assess team functionality for improvements.

  5. Collaborative Leadership

    • Facilitate effective team processes and decision making.

    • Share decision-making responsibilities.

    • Establish and maintain a collaborative climate.

    • Apply principles of collaborative decision-making.

    • Incorporate quality improvement into work processes and outcomes.

  6. Interprofessional Conflict Resolution

    • Recognize and value the positive aspects of conflict.

    • Understand that conflict is inevitable.

    • Address conflict constructively.

    • Identify situations likely to lead to disagreements or conflicts.

    • Create a safe environment for expressing diverse opinions.

Conclusion

  • Interprofessional care is fundamental to healthcare practice.

  • Healthcare professionals are expected to collaborate effectively.

  • There are numerous advantages to collaborative practice.

  • The six IPC competencies outline the essential components necessary for effective collaboration in healthcare settings.