Interprofessional collaboration: development of a tool to enhance knowledge translation

Abstract

PURPOSE: Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is a complex and multidimensional process in which different professionals work together to positively impact health care. In order to enhance the knowledge translation and improve rehabilitation practitioners' knowledge and skills toward IPC, it is essential to develop a comprehensive tool that illustrates how IPC should be operationalized in clinical settings. Thus, this study aims at developing, validating and assessing the usefulness of a comprehensive framework illustrating how the interactional factors should be operationalized in clinical settings to promote good collaboration. METHODS: This article presents a mixed-method approach used to involve rehabilitation stakeholders (n = 20) in the development and validation of an IPC framework according to a systematic seven-phase procedure. RESULTS: The final framework shows five types of practices according to four components: the situation of the client and family, the intention underlying the collaboration, the interaction between practitioners, and the combining of disciplinary knowledge. CONCLUSION: The framework integrates the current scientific knowledge and clinical experience regarding the conceptualization of IPC. It is considered as a relevant and useful KT tool to enhance IPC knowledge for various stakeholders, especially in the rehabilitation field. This comprehensive and contextualized framework could be used in undergraduate and continuing education initiatives. Implications for Rehabilitation The framework developed integrates the current scientific knowledge and clinical experience regarding the conceptualization of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) that is relevant to the rehabilitation field. It could be used in undergraduate and continuing education initiatives to help learners understand the multidimensional and dynamic nature of IPC. It could be useful to support practitioners and managers from the rehabilitation field in their efforts to optimize collaborative practice within their organization.