interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare

Question 1

distinguish between multifunctional and multidisciplinary teams

Answer 1

multifunctional teams
- involve distinct activities and handoffs from different team members at each stage
- each functional units is disconnected from each other

multidisciplinary teams
- connected by shared goals, trust, open and collaborative interdependence
- work tasks may still be split among functional units but in presence of strong communication, a common understanding of interconnected work process and shared ownership

Question 2

what entails collaboration

Answer 2

integration of activities and knowledge that requires a partnership of shared authority and responsibility

Question 3

what are the critical elements for collaboration

Answer 3

1. coordination (work to achieve shared goals)
2. cooperation (contribute to team, understand and value contributions of team members)
3. shared decision making (rely on negotiation, communication, openness, trust and a respectful power balance)
4. partnerships (open respectful r/s cultivated over time, work equitably tgt)

Question 4

what is the value of collaboration in healthcare

Answer 4

• improved sharing of evidence based practices
• improved decision making
• increased innovation
• reduction in length of hospital stays
• increase in compliance
• improved quality audit results
• improved sx and psychosocial management
• workforce that is more responsive, efficient and considerate of patient, improved care
• improves patient education and engagement that can impact behavioral changes
• collaborative patient clinician interactions can generate trust and rapport (leading to openness, negotiation, successful adherence, reduced anxiety)
• reduction in medical error rates
• work satisfaction and staff retention
• perception of empowerment and recognition (more horizontal power structures, open and inclusive communications, greater understanding, respect and appreciation)
• drives value, process improvement, innovation, initiative, performance, increase employee work engagement, reduce staff absenteeism

Question 5

what are the challenges to collaboration

Answer 5

systemic determinants
- compensation schemes
- professional practice regulation
- physical environment
- institutional policy

team determinants
- diversity in personalities, interests, goals, expectations, styles, prior experiences
- power gradient
- prestige
- salary

Question 6

what are the determinants of collaboration in healthcare

Answer 6

1. content
   - vision and strategy (gives clarity and direction)
2. processes
   - organisational structure that includes tools, procedures, policy management influences (gives transparency, objectivity, inclusivity, avoids emotions)
3. behavior
   - trust, accountability, acceptance of interdependency and diversity, safety to behave in open and transparent ways
4. structural (opportunity)
   - environment
   - organisational structure
5. psychological (willingness)
   - willingness to collaborate is affected by group cohesiveness, constancy, professional education, previous experience and personal maturity
   - mutual trust and respect
   - effective and constructive communication
6. educational (ability)
   - collaboration promoted through education and skills training to (i) understand role boundaries and expectations (ii) engage in effective formal and informal communications)

Question 7

what are the components of the canadian interprofessional health collaborative

Answer 7

1. role functioning
2. interprofessional conflict resolution
3. team functioning
4. collaborative leadership

Question 8

what are the core competencies in sunnybrook framework

Answer 8

1. role clarification (understand each others’ roles, scopes and expertise, explore interdependencies)
2. interprofessional value and ethics (create a climate of transparency, openness and willingness to collaborate through an inclusive approach)
3. shared decision making (decide collaboratively on plans)
4. communication (seek to achieve common understanding, actively provide information and seeking information
5. interprofessional conflict resolution (respond to anticipated or conflicting situations with appropriate and skilled interventions in a timely manner)
6. reflection (learn from their history and experiences, team reflection is both process or performance oriented)

Question 9

what are some mechanisms that shape collaboration at the practice level by WHO

Answer 9

[institutional support mechanisms]
- governance models
- structured protocols
- shared operating resources
- personnel policies
- supportive management practices

[working culture mechanisms]
- communication strategies
- conflict resolution policies
- shared decision making processes

[environmental mechanisms]
- built environment
- facilities
- space design

Question 10

how does WHO define collaborative practice in healthcare

Answer 10

collaborative practice in healthcare occurs when multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds provide comprehensive services and includes both clinical and non-clinical health related work

Question 11

what are the dimensions of intellectual humility

Answer 11

1. open-mindedness
   - acknowledgement of limitations of one’s knowledge
   - desire to gain knowledge irrespective of status
2. intellectual modesty
   - showing little concern about how one’s own intellect or intellectual reputation is regarded by others
3. engagement
   - motivated to investigate things that one does not understand and to research new ideas
4. corrigibility
   - showing emotional resilience when corrected or if idea is challenged by others