Patient perspectives on transdisciplinary models of care in allied health: a qualitative study

Demand for allied health services continues to grow, driven by rising chronic disease, multimorbidity, and workforce shortages. Although allied health professions each maintain distinct disciplinary expertise, overlap in assessment, treatment, and discharge planning may lead to duplication. Transdisciplinary care, where professionals work across traditional disciplinary boundaries to provide integrated, streamlined care, has emerged as a potential approach to address workforce and duplication challenges. While early studies suggest transdisciplinary models may improve satisfaction and efficiency, patients' perspectives remain underexplored. This study aimed to explore patient experiences of allied health care across hospital settings and their perspectives on transdisciplinary care to inform future service design.

A qualitative study guided by interpretive description was conducted at a large metropolitan tertiary hospital. Adults who had received care from at least two allied health disciplines were recruited using purposive sampling to ensure diverse care experiences. Fifteen participants completed semi‑structured interviews in person, via telephone or videoconference. Interviews were audio‑recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Four researchers independently coded transcripts, met to refine themes, and returned to data to ensure coherence and representation of participant perspectives.

Three overarching themes reflected how good communication, co‑ordination and compassionate care fostered trust and confidence in allied health professionals. First, participants valued care that was continuous, well‑co‑ordinated, and centred around their individual goals. They perceived transdisciplinary care to reduce duplication, delays, and the burden of repeating their histories. Second, clear, honest communication between treating staff, and with patients, was essential to feeling informed and heard. Participants noted that transdisciplinary approaches could enhance communication and allow professionals more time to listen. Third, patients deeply valued the empathy and interpersonal qualities of allied health clinicians, while also emphasising the importance of discipline‑specific expertise. They supported transdisciplinary care provided clinicians practiced within their competence and sought specialist input when required.

Patients across hospital settings were accepting of transdisciplinary allied health models provided quality, expertise and person‑centredness were maintained. Findings highlight that trust, communication and continuity underpin positive patient experience, and that transdisciplinary models may enhance efficiency and timeliness. Successful implementation will require organisational support, workforce development and careful evaluation to ensure new models enhance, rather than dilute, the quality of allied health care.