Interprofessional collaboration and integration as experienced by social workers in health care

ABSTRACT

Interprofessional collaboration in health care is gaining popularity. This secondary analysis focuses on social workers’ experiences on interprofessional teams. The data revealed that social workers perceived overall collaboration as positive. However, concerns were made apparent regarding not having the opportunity to work to full scope and a lack of understanding of social work ideology from other professionals. Both factors seem to impede integration of and collaboration with social workers on health care teams. This study confirms the need to encourage and support health care providers to more fully understand the foundation, role, and efficacy of social work on interprofessional teams.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaboration
• health care
• integration
• interprofessional
• role clarity
• scope of practice
• secondary analysis
• social work