Table 1 Common themes of IPE

Roles and responsibilities

No single health profession is capable of meeting all patient needs, fuelling the desire to collaborate. Many professionals understand that the more they ‘know’ about other professional’s roles, the more they will know how to operate and function as a team [10]. Tension between individuals arises from people stepping on other’s toes, as ‘role blurring’ results in team members risking conflict, team dysfunction, and burnout. Clear boundaries and role descriptions can assist in finding a balance, just as focusing on a patient’s needs can reduce many perceived professional boundaries [10].

Ethical practice

Ethical practice within healthcare is classed as the standards of practice and responsibilities professionals hold with their patients and colleagues. Heavily reliant on collaborative, team practice and moral obligation, health professionals are required to make complex ethical decisions as a team [11].

Conflict resolution

Health professionals are encouraged to actively engage with other professionals and patients in a positive manner, addressing disagreements in a constructive manner as they arise. Conflicts can be resolved by identifying and addressing specific areas of disagreement and by establishing safe environments and structures to express differing opinions and viewpoints [6].

Communication

Communication is a central concept to many interprofessional frameworks, functioning as the core process through which collaboration occurs [7]. Poor information transfer is closely linked to poor patient outcomes, and potential harm [10]. Communication exists on individual and group levels and occurs in both formal (meetings, patient records) and informal ways (emails, passing comments). Organisations can foster the use of tools such as ISBAR (a clinical handover design using “Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment Recommendation”), and protocols to assist in effective workplace communication - particularly patient handover [7, 12].

Skilful communication can enable individuals to overcome differences in opinion and negotiate reaching consensus [12]. It is useful to adjust language and terminology used to suit the intended audience and team members. Questioning should also be adjusted to approach situations from different perspectives [10].

Collaboration and teamwork

Collaborative practice is the central component of IPE, for without this, teams cannot effectively function [13]. Learning which includes regular interactions in interprofessional teams, has been shown to produce positive change in student perceptions towards IPE, regardless of the type of activity [14].

Collaborative practice not only refers to the health professionals working together, but also with the patients, their families and the community to provide effective healthcare [1]. Evidence suggests that collaborative practice can improve access to health-services, health outcomes, patient care and safety [1].