Interprofessional collaboration

Program Rationales

An underlying cause-effect relationship that embodies the definition of the assumed relationship between the condition to be dealt with, the nature of the intervention or the program activities, and the expected outcome.

Two broad categories of program rationales

Those that assume the condition that is the object of intervention is "within" the individual who has the presenting symptoms.

Those that assume the condition which is the object of intervention is, at least in part, external to the individual with the symptoms.

Program rationales common in human service organizations

Assume condition is "within" the individual

Acute illness (medical model)
Chronic illness (handicap/disability)
Developmental
Deviance

Assume condition is in part external to the individual

Environmental
Person-in-environment
Ideological

Program modes as strategies for intervention

Professional mode
Systems mode
Ad hoc service mode
Social care mode
Natural care mode
Public health mode

Professional collaboration in the school A style of professional interaction between and among professionals, parents and families, and, when appropriate, students themselves to share information, to engage in collective decision making, and to develop effective interventions for a commonly agreed upon goal that is in the best interests of the student.

Intraprofessional collaboration vs. interprofessional collaboration

Intraprofessional collaboration among colleagues who share a common professional education, values, socialization, identity, and experience.

Interprofessional collaboration between professionals who may not share a common professional education, values, socialization, identity, and experience.

Characteristics of Interprofessional Collaboration

Voluntary
Indirect service delivery
Professional relationships
Communal trust
Collective involvement
Shared goals and collective responsibility
Action for problem solving
Collaborative resources
Confidentiality

Method for developing a professional collaboration

Student/client centers approach
Goal achievement approach
Problem focused approach
Stakeholder approach

Advantages of professional collaboration

Advantages:

Shared professional competence and experience
Collective responsibility
Interprofessional communication
Increase in resource availability

Disadvantages of professional collaboration

Disadvantages:

Communication difficulties
Time
Commitment
Resistance
Differing professional views
Lack of collaborative skills
Quality of decisions
Lack of resources
Role ambiguity and duplication of effort
Level of experience
Voluntary nature of collaborations

Professional conflicts arise out of competing, incompatible professional needs for acceptance and action

Conflict process

Often starts with a single issue or incident
As issue is discussed previously suppressed issues emerge
Focus shifts to broader issues unrelated to original issue
This can lead to greater polarization as factions take sides
Spokesperson for each faction begins to champion its position
Opposition begins to focus on the individual rather than the issue
Can deteriorate into personal attacks and name calling

Benefits of conflict

Help define issues more clearly
Increase professional involvement
Build cohesion and strengthen professional relationships
Bring new life into a stagnant system
Can act as a relief valve to allow members to vent their anger
May be the basis for initiating collaboration
Provide opportunities to develop conflict management skills
Effective conflict management can increase the sense of ownership of agreed-upon solutions

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