Developing interprofessional collaborative practice competencies in rural primary health care teams

Abstract

Background: Leaders from a university, Area Health Education Center, and primary care centers (PCCs) collaborated to integrate Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP) in PCCs.

Purpose: Describe the facilitators and barriers of IPCP implementation in rural clinics and the impact on decision-making and safety culture.

Methods: The implementation team used engagement strategies to support the development of IPCP. PCC team participants completed surveys measuring collaboration and satisfaction with care decisions and safety culture. Qualitative data were analyzed to describe facilitators and barriers to IPCP.

Findings: Significant improvement (p < .035) in the Global Amount of Collaboration made over time. Barriers to IPCP included high turnover, hierarchical culture, lack of role clarity, competing time demands, limited readiness for change, and physical space limitations. Facilitators included structured huddles, alignment of IPCP with organizational goals, and academic-practice partnership.

Discussion: Partnering with academic-practice partnerships may facilitate collaboration and team learning as PCCs incorporate IPCP into practice.

Keywords: Collaborative practice; Interprofessional; Rural health care clinics, Primary care; TeamSTEPPS; Teamwork.