The conceptual basis for interprofessional collaboration: core concepts and theoretical frameworks

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Organizational Behavior
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Interprofessional collaboration is vital for enhancing healthcare effectiveness.
• Increasingly complex health issues foster interdependencies among professionals.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the complexity of interprofessional relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify conceptual frameworks for understanding interprofessional collaboration.
• To analyze definitions and associated concepts of collaboration.
• To review theoretical frameworks of collaboration in health organizations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review methodology.
• Analysis of definitions and concepts of collaboration.
• Examination of theoretical frameworks of collaboration.

Main Results:

• Collaboration is defined by sharing, partnership, power, interdependency, and process.
• Effective models integrate organizational theory/sociology with empirical data.
• Significant diversity exists in conceptualizing collaboration and its influencing factors.
• Current frameworks lack clear links between model elements and outcomes.
• Patient integration into collaborative care models is largely unaddressed.

Conclusions:

• Conceptual frameworks are needed to deepen the understanding of interprofessional collaboration.
• Robust theoretical and empirical foundations enhance collaboration models.
• Future research should address the diversity in collaboration conceptualizations and patient integration.