Interprofessionelle

Interprofessionnelle (fr.) or interprofessionelle (de.) refers to collaboration among professionals from different disciplines to plan, deliver, and evaluate healthcare, education, and social services. The term emphasizes a patient- or client-centered approach and shared decision-making. In French-language contexts, "collaboration interprofessionnelle" is common; in German-language contexts "interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit" is used.

Applications include hospital teams, primary care clinics, community health, education, and social services. Core activities include shared care plans, regular team meetings, and coordinated communication between professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, social workers, and educators, with patients and families as partners.

History and frameworks: The concept emerged from efforts to improve patient safety and quality through teamwork. Key frameworks identify four core competencies: values and ethics for collaboration, roles and responsibilities, interprofessional communication, and teamwork. Education programs called interprofessional education (IPE) prepare professionals to work in such teams.

Benefits and outcomes: When effectively implemented, interprofessional collaboration can improve patient outcomes, safety, continuity of care, and patient satisfaction; it can also enhance provider satisfaction and reduce duplication. Evidence varies by setting and implementation quality.

Implementation and challenges: Success requires organizational support, leadership, and policies that enable shared governance, common information systems, and protected time for collaboration. Common barriers include professional hierarchies, role ambiguity, scheduling, and reimbursement constraints.