Interprofessional Collaboration and Education in Hospital Settings: An Ethnographic Study

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) and interprofessional education (IPE) are widely recognised as essential for improving teamwork and reducing medical errors. However, despite their importance, implementing IPC and IPE in hospital settings remains challenging, and little is known about how they are understood and enacted in everyday clinical practice. This study explores how healthcare professionals perceive IPC and IPE within a diverse hospital environment and how these practices unfold in routine clinical work.

An ethnographic design was employed, incorporating field observations, shadowing of healthcare staff, and semi-structured interviews with a range of healthcare professionals. The data were analysed collaboratively and iteratively to identify key themes relating to IPC and IPE in daily clinical work.

The data analysis revealed three interrelated themes directly affecting IPC and IPE: commitment, skills and competencies, and environmental factors. Commitment was strongly influenced by shared professional experiences, which led to improved team cohesion, a better working atmosphere, and enhanced motivation. Competencies such as communication, respect, leadership, and emotional/moral qualities, such as humility, were identified as critical in translating commitment into practice. Environmental factors, including financial constraints, workload, and inadequate resources can hinder IPC, while IPE programs, empowering nurses, and small, cohesive units were identified as facilitators.

The study contributes to a deeper understanding of IPC and IPE in everyday healthcare clinical settings, highlighting the critical role that both human and structural factors play in improving patient care.