Interdisciplinary communication and collaboration serve an essential role in the healthcare industry. According to Morley and Cashell (2017), collaborative practices encompass “the content, processes, and behaviors of the team” (p. 211). The implementation of new methods, innovative technologies, or different procedures into the working process requires efficient interdisciplinary communication. The purpose of the video is to illustrate the significance of interprofessional teamwork and discuss the strategies for the leadership and professionals to improve the performance and enhance positive goal achievement.
Poor interprofessional collaboration can have adverse effects on different levels of the organization, including all the stakeholders. The researchers suggest that cooperation of the interdisciplinary team members can influence the work processes and the safety of the patients (Reeves, Pelone, Harrison, Goldman, & Zwarenstein, 2017). Consequently, inefficient collaboration can prevent the organization from reaching the desired objectives, presenting successful performance, and delivering the proper services that meet the patients’ expectations.
Various factors, such as authority imbalance, misunderstanding of assigned responsibilities, or related obstacles, can have an impact on the efficiency of interprofessional communication (Reeves et al., 2017). Thus, the members of the interdisciplinary group should aim to integrate the strategies that will enhance collaboration, improve organizational culture, and benefit new projects’ implementation.
Leadership has a substantial influence on the vision and mission of the interdisciplinary team and, as a result, affects the way the members cooperate. One of the effective strategies for interprofessional leadership is the engagement of threading concepts. Threading implicates the commitment to integrate and reinforce knowledge and skills gained in one training or experience to another (McHugh, Margolis, Rosenberg, & Humphreys, 2016).
Hence, incorporating training programs, in which leaders learn redirecting acquired skills to other activities and guiding the team, has a favorable effect on future communication among the leader and their subordinates. Specialized techniques, exercises, and instruments can serve as the assistance for the leaders to involve the training into the working process and gain a better understanding with the team members.
The next crucial aspect is the strategies for the interdisciplinary teams that will enhance collaboration and improve the results. According to Foronda, MacWilliams, and McArthur (2016), various learning activities and training that use standardized tools can serve as a useful implementation for the change. Another effective strategy is engaging simulation activities within the interprofessional group, which can outline potential situations and help each member communicate their ideas and expectations (Foronda et al., 2016).
Different educational techniques and activities can serve as competent assistants to express efficient communication under diverse conditions, including stressful events. The researchers also suggest that “education beyond communication techniques to address the broader constructs of patient safety, valuing diversity, team science, and cultural humility” is a useful strategy (Foronda et al., 2016, p. 36). Therefore, professionals should look beyond their field of expertise, understand the positions of other team members, and remember about the common goals.
In conclusion, miscommunication and the lack of understanding can lead to severe outcomes both for the professionals and the patients. It is significant for interdisciplinary teams to contemplate possible improvement strategies and techniques that will beneficially influence the organization and boost stakeholders’ satisfaction levels. The change should start at the leadership level because the leader can steer the course of action and cooperation. The leaders need to incorporating simulation scenarios, outline individual responsibilities, and broaden the knowledge within the group. Interprofessional team members should aim to create an atmosphere of understanding, high productivity, and high-quality service delivery.
References
Foronda, C., MacWilliams, B., & McArthur, E. (2016). Interprofessional communication in healthcare: An integrative review. Nurse Education in Practice, 19, 36-40.
McHugh, M. C., Margolis, L. H., Rosenberg, A., & Humphreys, E. (2016). Advancing MCH interdisciplinary/interprofessional leadership training and practice through a learning collaborative. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 20(11), 2247-2253.
Morley, L., & Cashell, A. (2017). Collaboration in health care. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 48(2), 207-216.
Reeves, S., Pelone, F., Harrison, R., Goldman, J., & Zwarenstein, M. (2017). Interprofessional collaboration to improve professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6. Web.