Perceptions, attitudes and understanding of health professionals of interprofessional practice at a selected community health centre

Abstract

Background Despite being identified as a solution to the challenges related to healthcare service delivery, the incorporation of interprofessional practice (IPP) into clinical practice has been limited. To implement an interprofessional model of healthcare, successfully, health professionals need to have an understanding of IPP and its related content. Aim The aim of this study was to explore and describe the health professionals’ perceptions, attitudes and understanding of IPP at a selected community health centre. Setting This study was conducted at a primary healthcare facility in the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods Ethical clearance and permission to conduct the study was obtained from all relevant stakeholders. Four focus group discussions were conducted with health professionals at the facility. Themes, codes and categories were highlighted from the transcripts of the audiotape-recorded data. Findings The findings suggest that health professionals do not have an understanding of IPP, and are thus unable to apply it practically. The health professionals perceived certain healthcare processes in the facility as barriers to the integration of practices. In addition, the health professionals expressed the need for interprofessional relationships, creation of opportunities for IPP, and communication to transform the current practice. Conclusion To implement IPP into this facility, effectively, the authors of this study recommend that facility management implement campaigns for and training on, the transition to IPP, staff induction programmes and regular meetings.

Perceptions of interprofessional collaborative practice in South Africa: A systematic review

“…All the studies were conducted in South Africa, as per the inclusion criteria ( Table 3 ). The articles covered two public hospitals (Nyoni, Grobler & Botma 2021 ; Waggie & Arends 2020 ), a community healthcare centre (Kock et al 2021 ), a semi-rural hospital (Maddocks et al 2018 ) and intensive care units (ICUs) in the public and private sectors (Ntinga & Van Aswegen 2020 ).…”

“…The incorporation of IPCP into clinical practice is limited, both locally and internationally (Bierwas et al 2017 ; Kock, Mlezana & Frantz 2021 ). As a result, the impact of IPE on IPCP and clinical service delivery is not evident where the overall health of the population is concerned.…”

The Case for Understanding Interdisciplinary Relationships in Health Care

“… 22 Kock et al assessed the impact of implementing interprofessional practice (IPP) on the perceptions, attitudes, and understanding of health care professionals. 6 IPP was being implemented as a way to address interdisciplinary relationship challenges in health care practice. The findings of the study suggested that health care professionals lacked the understanding of and the ability to practically apply IPP.…”

“…The study also showed that health care professionals expressed the necessity for interprofessional relationships, an environment that fosters IPP, and an environment that fosters a level of communication for changing the current health care work practice. 6 …”

“… 5 However, personnel in some areas of health care do not understand the value of training to improve interdisciplinary collaborations. 6 With the proper training of personnel, such interdisciplinary collaborations can be established and can potentially result in better patient care, reduced costs, expedited delivery of patient information, and an increase in perceived patient quality of care. 5 …”