Clients as mediators of interprofessional collaboration in mental health services in Iran

Abstract

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has long been identified as a way of providing optimal mental health services (MHS). It is important, therefore, to identify and facilitate factors driving IPC. This paper presents health professionals' experiences and perceptions regarding the clients' role as a driving factor for IPC in MHS in an Iranian context. Health professionals included nurses, physicians (general physicians and medical specialists), psychologists and consultants. Qualitative methods were employed in the form of in-depth individual interviews and focus groups to collect data from 24 professionals and 4 clients. Data analysis generated four key themes: "Clients as axis of IPC", "Seamless services as a common incentive for IPC", "Clients as a common interprofessional linkage" and "Clients as a driving force to achieve IPC". From the professionals' perspective, it was found that clients had a mediating role in their collaborative relationships and practices. These findings are discussed in relation to the interprofessional literature. This paper goes on to argue that professionals need to be aware of and be trained about how to manage, as well as benefit from, the clients' fundamental role in IPC.

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“…The fragmentation of health care services constitutes a challenge to the collaboration process [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The decentralised and fragmented nature of health care systems brings about communication gaps and obstructs shared decision-making between health providers, affecting the continuity of care [21].…”

“…Shared goal can drive the whole team to make endeavours for a common goal that cannot be reached when individuals work on their own [17]. In IDC, each team member may contribute to conclude a collective goal-among discipline-specific goals-through negotiation [10].…”

“…These complex needs should be addressed with multidimensional interventions delivered by health professionals with diverse knowledge and skills [20]. With IDC, health professionals with different expertise and skills are able to take care of the clients with a holistic approach [17]. …”

“…People with mental illness have various needs along their developmental lifespan in view of physical problems, psychological burden, family issues, 4/8 COJ Nurse Healthcare finance, housing and other socio-emotional factors [20]. With the multi-faceted nature, the needs of these clients are extensive and multidimensional [12][13][14][15][16][17]. These complex needs should be addressed with multidimensional interventions delivered by health professionals with diverse knowledge and skills [20].…”

“…Share goal is an attribute that can foster IDC [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Shared goal can drive the whole team to make endeavours for a common goal that cannot be reached when individuals work on their own [17].…”