Applying Layder’s theory of social domains to assess and address healthcare interprofessional team cohesion

Cohesion within interprofessional healthcare teams is essential for high-quality patient care yet remains uneven across settings. This paper explores how power dynamics, role expectations, and professional identity influence team cohesion with particular attention to the positioning of social workers. Layder's Theory of Social Domains is applied to examine how structural and relational factors shape interprofessional collaboration and the visibility of social work within medical hierarchies. Drawing on qualitative interviews with physicians, nurses, and social workers in healthcare settings, the study highlights how participants navigate language, rituals, and expectations that often reflect dominant professional norms. Findings suggest that while social workers are integral to team functioning, they must regularly adapt to environments that may undervalue their contributions. The analysis demonstrates how Layder's framework can support a more nuanced assessment of team dynamics by attending to micro- and macro-level structures and interactions. Implications for strengthening interprofessional collaboration through greater recognition of social work's unique perspective are discussed.