Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice, Part 1 Defining and exploring team options for chiropractors A s the phrase ‘health care reform’ circulates with increasing regu- larity and alacrity, many are stepping forward and purporting possible definitions and implications of this ideal, and what ac- uired to truly bring it about. erspective for change includes the idea of practitioners sciplines coming together in ways that increase system efficiency and improve patient access to services while pro- g a more holistic approach to health care that is better mlined to address patients’ problems and guide them to lness. This perspective is being reflected in the increasing mplexity of group practice structures that have emerged. any of these have piqued the interest of the chiropractic ofession as it seeks to broaden its field of recognition, accessibility and acceptance within the health care sys- m. Chiropractic is finding, within certain group practice uations, an opportunity to reach more patients in order provide conservative and wellness-oriented care for an easing scope of issues, while building its profile within health care community. But are chiropractors sufficiently equipped, through their training and experience, to success- fully harness a group situation? are various group practice models now open to chiro- who wish to work within a team atmosphere: multi/inter- r not, collaborative or not (or somewhere in between), within the same location or a geographically dispersed network – these are just some examples. This article will describe some interprofessional group practices that involve chiropractors, with a focus on levels of collabora- tion within each group. But first, the idea of interprofessional collaborative practice will be examined to isolate dynamics that may lead to, or away from, its success as a forum for chiropractic growth and integration into the health care system, and as a patient-centered endeavour. (Questions of income, within a group practice, are not included within the scope of this article.) The information here is, by no means, conclusive with respect to this topic but is meant to point out some considerations and questions that may be relevant to the profession as it explores this type of practice for its members. DEFINING INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE Professional collaboration, to a health care worker, can take on many forms. Collaboration may take place on an intra-disciplinary level, within interdisciplinary groups, or may even be cross-jurisdictional, when necessary. The point behind all collaboration should be to provide better service and care for the patient but can also serve to bring its participants together to work toward a common goal thus fostering respect and familiarization with each other’s work, and lessening tensions that may have existed prior to the collaborative activity.1 According to Health Canada, “Collaborative patient-centred practice is designed to pro- mote the active participation of several health care disciplines and professions. It enhances patient-family and community-centred goals and values, provides mechanisms for continuous communication among health care providers, optimizes staff participation in clinical decision | APRIL 2010 Continued on Page 42 www.canadianchiropractor.ca feature
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