Promoting effective interprofessional collaborative practice in the primary care setting: recommendations from...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare policy
• Primary care
• Allied health professional practice

Background:

• Physiotherapy private practitioners are a growing part of Australia's primary care workforce.
• Barriers exist for physiotherapists integrating into interprofessional teams.
• Current models may limit coordinated care due to dispersed, monoprofessional practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate strategies recommended by physiotherapists.
• To promote effective interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP).
• To address the Australian private practice setting.

Main Methods:

• Interpretive description methodology.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted.
• 28 physiotherapists across 10 private practices in Queensland, Australia.

Main Results:

• Improved funding and compensation are needed, especially for the Medicare Chronic Disease Management program.
• Integrated and secure digital communication systems are recommended for better information exchange.
• Prioritising professional development and training is crucial for enhancing collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Findings support informed policy for person-centred care and service integration.
• Promoting IPCP requires addressing funding, digital communication, and interprofessional education.
• A comprehensive strategy is needed to advance collaborative practice in physiotherapy.