Communication in interprofessional rehabilitation teams: a scoping review

Abstract

Purpose

Effective communication in interprofessional rehabilitation teams is essential for optimal patient care. Despite the established importance, it remains unclear how interprofessional communication (IPC) within teams contributes to rehabilitation service delivery. The aim of this scoping review was to investigate how IPC has been described in rehabilitation literature.

Methods

Databases (Medline, CINAHL, ERIC, Embase, PsychInfo, and Academic Search Complete) were searched for studies including rehabilitation interprofessional communication. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified and applied, data were charted, and thematic analysis conducted.

Results

Twenty-nine papers were identified, and analysis revealed interrelated themes: communication processes, and inputs and effects. Formal communication processes were most prevalent, portraying variability in professional participation and a lack of patient involvement in dialogue and decision making. Inputs and effects were described at an organisational, team and individual level, highlighting the importance of communication throughout the healthcare hierarchy.

Conclusions

IPC in rehabilitation is central to effective team function and patient care. To further our understanding, empirical studies examining everyday informal IPC, as well as formal ritualised encounters are needed. Additionally, conceptualisations of IPC would benefit from including the patients’ perspective and by using theoretical framing to attend to places, spaces, and artefacts identified in this review.

Keywords:

• Communication
• healthcare professionals
• interprofessional relations
• patient care
• rehabilitation
• review

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professor Clare Delany and Dr Felicity Bright for their contribution to the conceptualisation of this scoping review.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).