Collaborative Practice
Interprofessional collaboration has been shown to improve patient safety and outcomes, provide satisfaction with work-life and enhance the cost effectiveness of care delivery across the spectrum of health (WHO, 2010).
Unity Health Toronto is committed to supporting teams through its interprofessional collaborative competency framework. The framework is designed to assist the health-care provider and teams to focus on developing key abilities which, according to research, maximize effective collaboration. It describes six domains and specific competencies within each. The IPCC allow frequent self-reflection that promotes ongoing improvement of a health-care provider’s collaborative skills, contributing to the larger team including patients and families.
- Role Clarification. Team members understand their own role and the roles of other professions, and use this knowledge appropriately to establish and achieve patient, client, family and community goals.
- Collaborative Leadership. Team members understand and can apply leadership principles that support a collaborative practice model.
- Team Functioning. Team members demonstrate the principles of team dynamics and group/team processes to enable effective interprofessional collaboration.
- Interprofessional Communication. Team members from different professions communicate with each other in a collaborative, responsive and responsible manner.
- Patient, Client, Family and Community-Centred Care. Team members seek out, integrate and value, as a partner, the input and the engagement of the patient, client, family and community in designing and implementing care and services.
- Interprofessional Conflict Resolution. Team members actively engage themselves and others to constructively manage and resolve disagreements and conflict respectfully and effectively.
Examples of Collaborative Practice Initiatives:
- Falls Prevention
- Managing Responsive Behaviours and Constant Care
- Transfer of Accountability
- Wound Care Prevention and Treatment
Last updated May 25, 2021