Clinician experience of being interprofessional: An interpretive phenomenological analysis.
Angela Wood1,2, Jodie Copley2, Anne Hill2, Neil Cottrell31Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia2School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, Australia3Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
Introduction
Interprofessional collaboration is invaluable in our complex and demanding healthcare environment. Significant and credible research has advanced interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional (IP) competency frameworks, and yet a shift from professional silos to a culture of collaboration can still be elusive in practice. Limited research has explored the values, beliefs and attributes that comprise being interprofessional.
The aim of this study was to understand the lived experience of clinicians who are interprofessional, specifically the values, behaviours and other factors that contribute to their IP identity. The research question was How do clinicians experience being interprofessional?
Methods
The research design for this qualitative study was interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Fifteen key informants with lived experience of being interprofessional were recruited across seven sites via purposive sampling. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews, with supplementary observations and document review. Modified member checking through a hermeneutic lens was conducted post-analysis.
Results
Analysis followed the principles of IPA proposed by Smith et al., (2022). In line with the idiographic nature of IPA, individual lived experience of IP identity was presented as Personal Experiential Themes for each clinician, followed by cross case analysis which yielded six Group Experiential Themes (GETs). The GETs will be outlined in this presentation.
Discussion
A further study will synthesise, map and connect the GETs to co-create a framework for IP identity which is readily translatable into practice. The framework will be trialled by clinicians, managers and educators as an integral part of interprofessional education and development programs.
Biography
Angela Wood is an Occupational Therapist, Advanced Health Practitioner and Co-Program Manager for the Metro South Health Promoting Teamwork and Interprofessional Practice (P-TIP) Project. With 25 years national and international experience in clinical, management, education and project roles, Angela leads health practitioner workforce development, building the capability and capacity of our healthcare staff. Angela is a University of Queensland PhD candidate who is passionate about interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPC). Angela’s research investigates interprofessional identity, and she recently led a successful grant application to foster whole of health service IPE and IPC.