Inter-Professional Working: The Wisdom of Integrated Working and The Disaster of Blurred Boundaries

This article explains the differences between 'integrated working' and 'blurring the boundaries'. Although often used interchangeably, these terms actually represent the best and worst possible outcomes involved when professional boundaries are crossed. The authors use a health-care example, but they tackle the issues raised as generic concerns for effective inter-professional working in all sectors. The article shows that, rather than blurring boundaries, the establishment of clear boundaries is essential for successful inter-professional working. Clearly defined boundaries establish an exploratory space in which team members can tap into and use team skills, thus harnessing the diversity of the team.