Interprofessional education and collaborative practice in diagnostic radiography: Insights from an Australian...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare professions education
• Radiography and medical imaging
• Interprofessional collaboration

Background:

• Healthcare professionals often train in isolation, limiting interprofessional education (IPE) opportunities crucial for effective teamwork.
• IPE enhances care quality and patient outcomes, yet radiography has historically lagged in implementing IPE initiatives.
• This study investigates radiographers' perspectives on interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore radiographers' attitudes towards interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP).
• To identify perceived knowledge, skills, and confidence levels among radiographers regarding IPECP.
• To understand the specific needs and challenges faced by radiographers in collaborative practice settings.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 radiographers in various Queensland hospital settings.
• Purposive sampling ensured representation from metropolitan to very remote areas.
• Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Five major themes emerged: collaborative leadership's role in patient-centered care, the importance of rapport building, the need for radiography-specific IPECP frameworks, and identified enablers and barriers to interprofessional collaboration (IPC).
• Most participants (95%) worked in regional or rural settings, highlighting the need for accessible IPECP.
• Radiographers expressed a strong interest in IPC despite practicing in often-siloed environments.

Conclusions:

• Radiographers emphasize the necessity of IPC and context-specific educational frameworks that accommodate their unique professional roles.
• A significant gap exists between current educational models and the needs of radiography for effective collaborative practice.
• Implementing radiography-specific IPC frameworks and promoting collaborative practice are vital for enhancing patient outcomes, professional satisfaction, and patient-centered care.