Interprofessional collaboration in home-based community care programs: A leadership imperative

Abstract

Community Paramedic (CP) services are relatively new in home-based community care, and as these programs expand, there are additional opportunities for leadership in interprofessional and cross-sectoral collaboration. Understanding the unique contributions of each health care provider can ensure that a patient-centered approach remains forefront. This qualitative study included 33 participants representing nurses, physicians and CPs involved in home-based community care. Interviews explored attitudes, barriers and enablers to collaboration, role optimization and integration of paramedics into home-based community care and were analyzed with interpretive descriptive methods. Participants recognized the benefits of CP services and positive attitudes motivated them to engage in collaboration to support patient-centered care. Participants stated they require support and leadership to strengthen interprofessional collaboration and care coordination. Strategies such as the removal of silos, forging new networks of collaboration, interprofessional education, and changes in professional regulation for paramedics can support new roles and opportunities for nurses, paramedics and physicians in home-based community care.