Sustainable interprofessional teamwork needs a team-friendly healthcare system: Experiences from a collaborative...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Interprofessional Collaboration
• Team Dynamics

Background:

• Effective interprofessional teamwork is crucial for enhancing healthcare quality.
• Collaboration involves professionals, patients, and organizational support.
• A Dutch village implemented a network for sustainable interprofessional teamwork in elderly care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine experienced issues in internal organization, perspective, and definition of effective teamwork.
• To identify complicating factors in interprofessional team development and effectiveness.
• To explore barriers to sustainable interprofessional teamwork in elderly care.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative examination of experience-based issues.
• Analysis of internal organizational factors.
• Assessment of external barriers from healthcare insurers and municipalities.

Main Results:

• External barriers were identified concerning the supportive structure and cooperative attitude of healthcare insurers and municipalities.
• Challenges include identifying key figures and differing perspectives on team development and effectiveness.
• The existing network faced external obstacles despite regular consultations and meetings.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare insurance organizations require fundamental changes to support interprofessional care.
• Municipalities must enhance their vision regarding collaboration benefits with interprofessional teams.
• Healthcare teams need to adapt communication to align with external partners' perspectives for successful collaboration.