Collaborative Practice
Collaborative practice is integrated functioning of multiple professionals to provide comprehensive services and quality care. The team members combine their individual expertise and work with patients, families, care providers and communities to ensure comprehensive services and highest quality care.
Collaborative practice can improve:
- Access to and coordination of health services
- Health outcomes for people with chronic disease
- Patient care and safety
Collaborative practice can decrease:
- Total patient complications
- Hospital admissions and length of hospital stay
- Tension and conflict among caregivers
- Staff turnover
- Clinical error rates and mortality rates
- Redundant medical testing and associated costs
References
World Health Organization (WHO). (2010). Framework for action on interprofessional education & collaborative practice. Geneva: World Health Organization. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2010/WHO_HRH_HPN_10.3_eng.pdfÂ
Interprofessional Education Collaborative Expert Panel. (2011). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: Report of an expert panel. Washington, D.C: Interprofessional Education Collaborative.
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