response to your Blog describing your own experiences with intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration in your nursing practice. What were the strengths and weaknesses of this collaboration? How might your own experiences mirror the perspectives and viewpoints presented in the Henry et al. (2018) case study design approach? Be specific and provide examples.
- Ansa, B. E., Zechariah, S., Gates, A. M., Johnson, S. W., Heboyan, V., & De Leo, G. (2020). Attitudes and behavior towards interprofessional collaboration among healthcare professionals in a large academic medical center. Healthcare, 8(3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8030323
- Celio, J., Ninane, F., Bugnon, O., & Schneider, M. P. (2018). Pharmacist-nurse collaborations in medication adherence-enhancing interventions: A review. Patient Education and Counseling, 101(7), 1175–1192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2018.01.022
- Contandriopoulos, D., Brousselle, A., Dubois, C.-A., Perroux, M., Beaulieu, M.-D., Brault, I., Kilpatrick, K., D’Amour, D., & Sansgter-Gormley, E. (2015). A process-based framework to guide nurse practitioners integration into primary healthcare teams: Results from a logic analysis. BMC Health Services Research, 15(78), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0731-5
- Henry, B., Male, B., Garner, C., & Guernon, A. (2018). Teaching and learning about interprofessional collaboration through student-designed case study and analysis. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 30(3), 560–570.
- Interprofessional Education Collaborative. (2016). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: 2016 update. https://ipec.memberclicks.net/assets/2016-Update.pdf
- Muller, C., Hesjedal-Streller, B., Fleischmann, N., Tetzlaff, B., Mallon, T., Scherer, M., Kopke, S., Balzer, K., Gartner, L., Maurer, I., Friede, T., Konig, H.-H., & Hummers, E. (2020). Effects of strategies to improve general practitioner-nurse collaboration and communication in regard to hospital admissions of nursing home residents (interprofACT): Study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial. Trials, 21(913), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04736-x
In my nursing practice, I have had the opportunity to engage in both intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration, and I’d like to share my experiences, reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of these collaborations.
Intra-disciplinary collaboration, where nurses from the same discipline work together, has often been a smooth process in my experience. One significant strength is the shared knowledge and understanding of nursing principles and practices. For instance, when working with fellow nurses in a medical-surgical unit, we all had a common foundation of nursing skills and protocols. This allowed for efficient patient care coordination and effective communication. We could anticipate each other’s actions and needs, which improved the overall quality of care.
However, one of the weaknesses of intra-disciplinary collaboration is the potential for groupthink or a limited perspective. When a team consists solely of nurses, there may be a tendency to overlook important input from other healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists or physicians, which can limit the holistic approach to patient care.
On the other hand, interdisciplinary collaboration, involving healthcare professionals from various disciplines like physicians, pharmacists, and social workers, brings a diverse range of perspectives to patient care. I recall a specific instance when I was part of an interdisciplinary team for a complex case involving a patient with multiple chronic conditions. The strengths of this collaboration were evident. For example, the pharmacist on our team provided valuable insights into medication interactions and adherence, which significantly improved the patient’s care plan.
However, there were also challenges. One weakness was the potential for communication breakdowns among team members due to differences in terminology and priorities. For instance, physicians might focus on diagnosis and treatment plans, while nurses may be more concerned with the patient’s daily needs and comfort. It required effective communication and a clear understanding of each team member’s role to overcome these challenges.
Reflecting on my experiences, they align with some of the perspectives presented in the Henry et al. (2018) case study design approach. In the case study approach, students are encouraged to work together to analyze complex healthcare scenarios. This mirrors my experiences in interdisciplinary collaboration, where professionals from different backgrounds come together to analyze complex patient cases and develop comprehensive care plans. Just like in the case study approach, effective communication, respect for each other’s expertise, and a focus on patient-centered care are crucial for success.
In conclusion, both intra- and interdisciplinary collaborations have their strengths and weaknesses in nursing practice. Intra-disciplinary collaboration benefits from shared knowledge and understanding but may lack diverse perspectives. Interdisciplinary collaboration brings diverse expertise but requires effective communication and teamwork. My experiences align with the principles of collaborative practice outlined in the Interprofessional Education Collaborative’s core competencies and reflect some of the aspects discussed in the Henry et al. case study design approach. Ultimately, successful collaboration in healthcare hinges on effective communication, respect for each discipline’s expertise, and a patient-centered approach.