Measuring Interprofessional Collaboration's Impact on Healthcare Services Using the Quadruple Aim Framework: A...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Health Services Research
• Interprofessional Education

Background:

• Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is crucial for effective team-based care, yet definitive proof of its impact on healthcare outcomes and return on investment (ROI) remains elusive.
• Lack of a unifying conceptual framework and reliance on single-method study designs hinder the demonstration of IPC's ROI.
• Healthcare leaders require robust evidence to justify investments in IPC and associated manpower reforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a research protocol for examining the ROI of IPC.
• To utilize the Quadruple Aim framework, assessing patient outcomes, patient experience, provider well-being, and cost of care.
• To address the existing gaps in evidence regarding the tangible effects of team-based care.

Main Methods:

• A multimethod approach integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Quantitative methods for measuring patient outcomes.
• Qualitative methods for assessing patient experience and provider well-being, complemented by time-driven activity-based costing for healthcare costs.

Main Results:

• The protocol outlines a comprehensive approach to evaluating IPC's ROI across four key dimensions.
• It proposes a mixed-methods design to capture a holistic view of IPC's impact.
• The study is situated in a Singaporean neurological center, providing a specific clinical context.

Conclusions:

• This protocol provides a structured approach to generate definitive evidence on the ROI of IPC.
• By adopting the Quadruple Aim and a multimethod design, the study aims to overcome limitations of previous research.
• The findings are expected to inform healthcare leaders and guide institutional reforms to facilitate effective IPC.