A comprehensive whole-of-health service approach to interprofessional collaboration

Interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) are essential for high-quality safe, effective, and efficient healthcare. This program of work aimed to build a culture of IPE and IPCP across a large metropolitan health service. This study was a repeated cross-sectional study which evaluated an approach to integrating IPE and IPCP as an embedded model of care across a health service. The Interprofessional Collaborative Organisation Map and Preparedness Assessment (IP-COMPASS) was used to (i) understand the current state of IPE and IPCP across the organization, (ii) guide a cohesive and comprehensive program of work to implement systems, structures, governance, practices, and education that support and develop IPE and IPCP, and (iii) evaluate the change in IPE and IPCP following the program of work. Eleven out of 22 interprofessional attributes (50%) were weak or absent at baseline. Following 18-months implementation of targeted interprofessional initiatives, strategies, and education, five attributes (22%) were weak or absent. Thirteen attributes improved (59%), six remained the same (27%), and three declined (14%). Many interprofessional attributes improved with a program of initiatives targeted to enhance the systems, structures, governance, practices, and education that support and develop IPE and IPCP. A small number of attributes declined, which may reflect increased awareness of IPE and IPCP as a previously unrecognized gap, leading to the realization that this critical way of working is absent. Despite improvements, many interprofessional attributes remained inadequate, highlighting the challenges and extended timeframes required for systems level change.