[Interprofessional Collaboration in Oral Care-A Nursing Perspective]

Interprofessional collaboration refers to a healthcare delivery system in which professionals with different areas of expertise work together toward a common goal. Nurses play a vital role in supporting patient recovery by accurately assessing the patient's overall condition and providing consistent daily care from pre-treatment through post-treatment. Among these responsibilities, oral care is a fundamental and essential practice directly linked to infection prevention, nutritional intake, communication, and the maintenance of quality of life(QOL). Effective care can be enhanced by understanding the goals and techniques of oral care at each stage of cancer treatment and by integrating nurses' ongoing assessment and caregiving skills with the specialized expertise of other healthcare professionals. Furthermore, in addition to evaluating adverse events associated with cancer treatment and providing appropriate care, it is crucial to respond promptly and smoothly by referring to highly specialized professionals when abnormalities are detected. It is important to provide individualized and continuous oral care in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, tailored to the patient's condition and aligned with domestic and international guidelines.