Existing models of interprofessional collaborative practice in primary healthcare: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

Educating students to provide interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) in primary healthcare (PHC) requires a robust rigorous model relevant to future practice. A scoping review was undertaken to identify existing models of IPCP in PHC, the interprofessional or collaborative theories on which the models were based, reported outcomes, and enablers of and barriers to IPCP in PHC. The 35 eligible studies included 27 models, most of which were designed for a specific PHC site or program. Although almost half of the studies cited established interprofessional competencies in support of the models, only 13 included theoretical support, and only two cited interprofessional theory. Outcomes for clients, practitioners, practices, and students were primarily experiential and positive. A few researchers reported negative experiences or no difference between comparison groups. Key enablers of IPCP in PHC were strong supportive, inclusive relationships and practices. The most common barriers were time and resource constraints and poor understanding of IPCP. The review suggests a need for a stronger theoretical basis for IPCP in PHC that can accommodate different settings, and for more observational research that links relationship factors to outcomes at the practice, population, and wider health system levels.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional collaborative practice
• interprofessional education
• primary healthcare
• scoping review
• student

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Faculty Research Development Fund grant from Auckland University of Technology.

Notes on contributors

Susan M. McNaughton

Susan McNaughton, currently working as a research officer, Sue previously worked as an interprofessional educator at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in interprofessional programs for clients with chronic conditions and students on clinical placements. Her research interests include integrating interprofessional education into primary healthcare and long-term impacts for graduates, clients and the health system.

Brenda Flood

Brenda Flood is a senior lecturer at AUT where she is an interprofessional education and practice leader within the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. Brenda leads the development, implementation and evaluation of an embedded and sustainable interprofessional education pathway across the Faculty. She is also the Clinical Manager for AUT Integrated Health, a health centre where students from a range of professions work collaboratively to provide person/whānau-centred services to the public.

C. Jane Morgan

Jane Morgan is a senior lecturer and interprofessional educator in the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at AUT. Her current teaching and research focus is on the development, implementation and evaluation of interprofessional education, embedded into existing study programs and integrated into real-time clinical practice.

Priya Saravanakumar

Padmapriya (Priya) Saravanakumar is a lecturer in the School of Clinical Sciences at AUT. She is a gerontology researcher and part of the AUT Centre for Active Ageing steering group. Her research focuses on older adult health and wellbeing, complementary and alternative medicine, and public health.