Implementation of an interprofessional collaboration in practice program: a feasibility study using social network analysis
Abstract Background Due to multimorbidity and geriatric problems, older people often require both psychosocial and medical care. Collaboration between medical and social professionals is a prerequisite to deliver high-quality care for community-living older people. Effective, safe, and person-center...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-020-00746-3 |
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| author | Linda C. Smit Jeroen Dikken Nienke M. Moolenaar Marieke J. Schuurmans Niek J. de Wit Nienke Bleijenberg |
| author_facet | Linda C. Smit Jeroen Dikken Nienke M. Moolenaar Marieke J. Schuurmans Niek J. de Wit Nienke Bleijenberg |
| author_sort | Linda C. Smit |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Due to multimorbidity and geriatric problems, older people often require both psychosocial and medical care. Collaboration between medical and social professionals is a prerequisite to deliver high-quality care for community-living older people. Effective, safe, and person-centered care relies on skilled interprofessional collaboration and practice. Little is known about interprofessional education to increase interprofessional collaboration in practice (IPCP) in the context of community care for older people. This study examines the feasibility of the implementation of an IPCP program in three community districts and determines its potential to increase interprofessional collaboration between primary healthcare professionals caring for older people. Method A feasibility study was conducted to determine the acceptability and feasibility of data collection and analysis regarding interprofessional collaboration in network development. A questionnaire was used to measure the learning experience and the acquisition of knowledge and skills regarding the program. Network development was assessed by distributing a social network survey among professionals attending the program as well as professionals not attending the program at baseline and 5.5 months after. Network development was determined by calculating the number, reciprocity, value, and diversity of contacts between professionals using social network analysis. Results The IPCP program was found to be instructive and the knowledge and skills gained were applicable in practice. Social network analysis was feasible to conduct and revealed a spill-over effect regarding network development. Program participants, as well as non-program participants, had larger, more reciprocal, and more diverse interprofessional networks than they did before the program. Conclusions This study showed the feasibility of implementing an IPCP program in terms of acceptability, feasibility of data collection, and social network analysis to measure network development, and indicated potential to increase interprofessional collaboration between primary healthcare professionals. Both program participants and non-program participants developed a larger, more collaborative, and diverse interprofessional network. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T05:46:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-55eb3402558f481caddaa0b91bdae5d8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-5784 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T05:46:34Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-55eb3402558f481caddaa0b91bdae5d82022-12-21T19:51:17ZengBMCPilot and Feasibility Studies2055-57842021-01-017111210.1186/s40814-020-00746-3Implementation of an interprofessional collaboration in practice program: a feasibility study using social network analysisLinda C. Smit0Jeroen Dikken1Nienke M. Moolenaar2Marieke J. Schuurmans3Niek J. de Wit4Nienke Bleijenberg5Research Centre for Healthy and Sustainable Living, University of Applied Sciences UtrechtFaculty of Health, Nutrition and Sport, The Hague University of Applied SciencesDutch Inspectorate of EducationEducation Center, UMC Utrecht Academy, University Medical Center UtrechtDepartment of General Practice, Division Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center UtrechtResearch Centre for Healthy and Sustainable Living, University of Applied Sciences UtrechtAbstract Background Due to multimorbidity and geriatric problems, older people often require both psychosocial and medical care. Collaboration between medical and social professionals is a prerequisite to deliver high-quality care for community-living older people. Effective, safe, and person-centered care relies on skilled interprofessional collaboration and practice. Little is known about interprofessional education to increase interprofessional collaboration in practice (IPCP) in the context of community care for older people. This study examines the feasibility of the implementation of an IPCP program in three community districts and determines its potential to increase interprofessional collaboration between primary healthcare professionals caring for older people. Method A feasibility study was conducted to determine the acceptability and feasibility of data collection and analysis regarding interprofessional collaboration in network development. A questionnaire was used to measure the learning experience and the acquisition of knowledge and skills regarding the program. Network development was assessed by distributing a social network survey among professionals attending the program as well as professionals not attending the program at baseline and 5.5 months after. Network development was determined by calculating the number, reciprocity, value, and diversity of contacts between professionals using social network analysis. Results The IPCP program was found to be instructive and the knowledge and skills gained were applicable in practice. Social network analysis was feasible to conduct and revealed a spill-over effect regarding network development. Program participants, as well as non-program participants, had larger, more reciprocal, and more diverse interprofessional networks than they did before the program. Conclusions This study showed the feasibility of implementing an IPCP program in terms of acceptability, feasibility of data collection, and social network analysis to measure network development, and indicated potential to increase interprofessional collaboration between primary healthcare professionals. Both program participants and non-program participants developed a larger, more collaborative, and diverse interprofessional network.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-020-00746-3Interprofessional educationInterprofessional collaborationSocial Network AnalysisPrimary care |
| spellingShingle | Linda C. Smit Jeroen Dikken Nienke M. Moolenaar Marieke J. Schuurmans Niek J. de Wit Nienke Bleijenberg Implementation of an interprofessional collaboration in practice program: a feasibility study using social network analysis Pilot and Feasibility Studies Interprofessional education Interprofessional collaboration Social Network Analysis Primary care |
| title | Implementation of an interprofessional collaboration in practice program: a feasibility study using social network analysis |
| title_full | Implementation of an interprofessional collaboration in practice program: a feasibility study using social network analysis |
| title_fullStr | Implementation of an interprofessional collaboration in practice program: a feasibility study using social network analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementation of an interprofessional collaboration in practice program: a feasibility study using social network analysis |
| title_short | Implementation of an interprofessional collaboration in practice program: a feasibility study using social network analysis |
| title_sort | implementation of an interprofessional collaboration in practice program a feasibility study using social network analysis |
| topic | Interprofessional education Interprofessional collaboration Social Network Analysis Primary care |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-020-00746-3 |
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