Influence of a quality improvement learning collaborative program on team functioning in primary healthcare

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Primary Health Care

Background:

• Quality improvement (QI) programs are vital for enhancing primary healthcare (PHC) team development and patient outcomes.
• The Quality Improvement and Innovation Partnership (QIIP) in Ontario, Canada, implemented a learning collaborative (LC) to foster interdisciplinary team function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the influence of the QIIP LC program on team functioning within participating PHC teams.
• To understand how the collaborative learning environment impacts interdisciplinary collaboration and care delivery.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing a phenomenological approach.
• Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with PHC team members, QI coaches, and LC administrators.
• Thematic analysis was used to interpret the collected data.

Main Results:

• Participation in the LC program positively impacted team functioning.
• Increased trust, respect, and understanding of diverse professional roles were reported.
• Enhanced collegial relationships, reduced professional silos, improved communication, and greater interdisciplinary collaboration were observed.

Conclusions:

• The QIIP LC program effectively facilitated collaborative learning and improved interdisciplinary team functioning in PHC.
• Learning collaboratives offer a valuable framework for developing effective teamwork in healthcare settings.
• The study highlights the importance of structured programs in building collaborative capacity among healthcare professionals.