Understanding of Interprofessional Team and Practices
What is your current understanding of Interprofessional Health Education (IPE) and
Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC)? How has it been enhanced through your
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Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare: Team Dynamics and Patient Outcomes, Essays (university) of Nursing
This document reflects on the importance of interprofessional health education and collaboration in healthcare, highlighting modules like communication, collaboration, conflict management, leadership, team functioning, and emotional intelligence. It emphasizes their significance in achieving optimal patient outcomes, promoting effective team dynamics, and fostering a supportive environment. It discusses applying these skills in real-world settings, focusing on adaptability, inclusivity, and continuous improvement in interprofessional communication. The document underscores the commitment to patient-centered care, the value of diverse perspectives, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution in high-stress environments, ensuring patient care remains the priority. The reflection concludes with a commitment to ongoing learning.
Typology: Essays (university)
2024/2025
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Understanding of Interprofessional Team and Practices What is your current understanding of Interprofessional Health Education (IPE) and Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC)? How has it been enhanced through your
participation during this course? Describe at least one way in which you will maintain your commitment to IPE/IPC? Throughout this course, the importance of participation in interprofessional collaboration was highlighted. Interprofessional team members work together to produce the best health outcome for patients upon discharge. As important as my role as a practical nurse is, there are other team members that can provide better care more catered toward independency after discharge and prevention of future admissions. For instance, social work assists with emotional, social, and environmental factors affecting patients' well-being. Their job entails in providing resources available in the community that the patient can be eligible for. This can be arrangements for group meetings in the community or providing information of drug plans available if money is a concern in receiving adequate care. Just like this, ever discipline has something to offer that promotes positive health outcomes. Over the term of the course, we learned interprofessional collaboration through six modules that are core for interactions within the different disciplines. Our first module was communication, an important piece in patient care. Communication happens with the client and while working with the different interprofessional team members. Effective communication through techniques like active listening makes the team member, but especially the patient feel they are respected. This is important in developing trust. The understanding of different communication styles (e.g., verbal vs. non- verbal) and learning how to adapt one’s approach is crucial for fostering a positive and inclusive team dynamic. Everyone has their own way of communicating and we must know it may not be the way we may communicate but everyone is different. I understand the importance of how our body language can hold a message and it is important to be aware of our interactions. We also must uphold professional standards and treat everyone with respect. We can provide constructive feedback to communicate opinions but arguing is not respectful. When reflecting to the video of the interprofessional team interaction, it was important to understand that the entire interprofessional team has the same goal. Different communication styles exist and impact team dynamics. As we saw, a team member who communicates assertively expresses their thoughts clearly while respecting others, which helps prevent misunderstandings and maintains respect. On the other hand, passive communication may lead to unaddressed concerns, while aggressive communication can create tension and conflict. Arguing over each other does not promote quality health outcomes, there must be active listening. Combining different perspectives can ultimately create a unique health plan for a client that promotes quality health outcomes. Our second module was collaboration, which goes hand in hand with communication. In fact, it goes hand in hand with all the modules in a way. Collaboration holds the idea of “win-win” fundamental. We aim to achieve outcomes with the most success and benefit. As
taking lead to setting clear expectations, monitoring performance, and rewarding good outcomes. In our group, the person who was better at the activity on hand would take lead. If writing-oriented, then the person good at writing takes the lead. If a group member better at making slides for a presentation, then they would take the lead. This is how we split it over the semester. We got to experience different leadership styles opening us up to the reality of a real environment where everyone will not get along. This allowed us to utilize different conflict management techniques to negotiate and come to a consensus. I believe my own leadership style, being democratic and situational, allows me to adapt to different personalities. It allows me to approach a conflict in different ways and allows me to be inclusive of everyone. An important foundation in interprofessional communication. Leadership in interprofessional teams is not about having an assigned leader but fostering shared leadership across the entire team where everyone is included and best health outcome for the patient is attained. Our fifth module was team functioning, which is inclusivity and working together as a team towards a shared goal. The course emphasized how understanding team dynamics, setting clear expectations, and providing regular feedback can enhance a team’s ability to perform well. In healthcare teams often face complex challenges with multiple working parts, so it’s vital that members are flexible, adaptable, and supportive of each other. One key thing we learned was the importance of fostering a safe environment, where team members feel comfortable voicing concerns without fear of judgment. For example, during midterm season, some of us were more overwhelmed than others. These were the times we would take that into account and step in to further divide their portion and lighten their load. We learned how important it was to support each other and value each person's contributions, especially when challenges arose. Our last module was emotional intelligence. Components of emotional intelligence allows us to recognize and process emotions within a team and in patients, and how we use it to build relationships. In healthcare setting, a nurse who demonstrates social awareness by displaying empathy to understand a patient’s fears. Addressing their concerns may help alleviate anxiety and build trust, which can lead to better patient adherence to treatment plans. Similarly, self-regulation allows healthcare providers to stay calm and make clear decisions in high-pressure situations. Being able to work effectively within a team also requires strong social skills, such as negotiating, providing constructive feedback, and collaborating toward common goals. I believe this module helped me be more aware of my surroundings. It allows me to gather my experiences and reflect on them. This is crucial as we are not immune to problems. Again, reflecting on my previous example where a team member was overwhelmed during midterm season. We were able to recognize that emotion and connect with her. I now understand that when a team member is feeling stressed or overwhelmed, acknowledging their
feelings and providing support can lead to better collaboration and more effective decision- making. I also recognize that self-awareness allows me to check my own emotional responses and act thoughtfully, which is crucial in healthcare settings. There are many unpredictable situations in healthcare and everyday is different, building resilience will help us be able to come into work every day. Moving forward, I am committed to continuing to foster interprofessional communication within my career. It allows me to give my patients’ the best outcome. The goal is to support them to be independent and preventative measures to reduce their visits. One of the most significant ways I will maintain this commitment is by consistently practicing the skills learned through the course, particularly in communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence. I will prioritize open communication in future healthcare teams by trying to actively listen. One thing I need to work on is self-reflection. Sometimes, emotions get in the way when receiving feedback as I start to feel I have not lived up to the expectations. I grew up in an environment where expectations were heavily enforced. I need to learn to step back and change that in my professional life. I will remain mindful of my leadership approach, adapting my style depending on the needs of the team and the situation. I want to be able to be more assertive when required. Additionally, I will work to stay self- aware of both of my own feelings and those of my colleagues. At the end of the day, I want to make sure the motto of my practice focuses on achieving the best possible patient outcomes. When my patient is struggling in an area which I am not familiar in, I will make sure to bring up a consult for such discipline with the physician. Overall, this interprofessional course has allowed me to recognize many things about myself that I did not notice. Enhancing on my skillset and being receptive to feedback can help me maintain best practice as a nurse.