Collaborative Practice has been identified as playing an important role in improving patient outcomes, strengthening health care services and improving health workforce satisfaction. This pilot project explores one organization’s experience developing and implementing Interprofessional Practice Councils (IPPCs) as a means of enhancing the culture of collaboration and implementation of best practices for three programs in the organization. Three key themes were identified as essential to the design of a successful comprehensive IPPC: 1) structure; 2) values; and, 3) education.
Â
Results suggest that the core content of focus for IPPCs be composed of collaborative practice, and evidence-based practice and knowledge translation, and that key components for sustainability include: i) senior team support; ii) accountability and decision-making; iii) medical staff engagement; iv) relationship to the strategic plan; v) clear leadership and training for council members; vi) clear principal statement and council terms of reference; vii) demonstration of positive outcome and value; and, viii) defining expectations. In addition, readiness assessment and strong leadership which includes allocation of resources for focused start-up to ensure sustainability appear to be necessary requirements for successful council integration.
NEL Module:
NEL Resource Subject:
