Collaboration in Healthcare

Description

1. Collaboration in health care can be described as the capability of every health care professional, to embrace complementary roles within a team, share responsibilities for problem-solving, and make decisions needed to formulate plans for patient care ( Busari, 2017). Interprofessional collaboration between nurses, physicians, and other members of the health care team is an essential component to implementing health promotion and disease management. Due to high rates of medical errors, interprofessional collaboration has become an intervention step that can reduce medical errors and improve care (Busari,2017). However, there are challenges as well, such as conflicts in working style. Some people enjoy working in groups while others do their best work alone. When different ideologies, processes and goals clash conflict can arise. Another barrier facing collaborative teams is lack of knowledge of the roles of other healthcare professionals. To work effectively in an interprofessional team, one must have a clear understanding of other members’ unique contributions: their educational backgrounds, areas of achievement, and limitations (Franklin, 2018). Each health care worker should be knowledgeable and comfortable with the skills of others.

2. Collaboration is one of the most crucial elements when it comes to the success of any type of organization. Collaboration is a term commonly used in research, clinical practice, and health professions education. There are collaborations in almost every aspect of health, such as patient advocacy and health care collaboratives. When individuals work together as a team to accomplish a common goal, they undergo collaboration. Collaboration isn’t always easy to achieve. If there are difficulties in communication amongst team members then collaboration is hindered and the team members may feel like they cannot openly express their thoughts or opinions. Collaboration may be difficult when team members come from different backgrounds especially when their working styles are very different from one another. The lack of productivity and feedback can also hinder significant obstruct workflow if collaboration from team members do not respond to emails in a timely manner. Negative mindset or thinking can also set back collaboration amongst team members as well. (Chiropr, et al., 2015).

Inter-professional collaborative practice (IPCP) in health care has gained support particularly in the past 15 years, as a means to address medical errors. IPCP involves interaction with different health care providers applying their individualized skills and knowledge to the care and management of patients. Collaboration occurs when individuals have mutual respect for one another. Inter professional, coordinating care between nurses, pharmacists, physicians, social workers and other disciplines has become increasingly important. Inter-professional collaboration is the practice of approaching patient care from a team-based perspective. By implementing inter-professional collaboration and learning to work together and respecting one another’s perspectives in healthcare, multiple disciplines can work more effectively as a team to help improve patient outcomes. (The importance of inter-professional collaboration in healthcare, 2021).