A Mixed-method Study of Health Care Workers' Attitudes About Interprofessional Collaboration

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined health professional graduates' views about interprofessional cooperation in healthcare service delivery and the factors that influence their professional collaboration. Method: Convergent parallel mixed-methods was used. The quantitative component was a cross-sectional survey of 359 Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) graduates (30 general practitioners, 112 nurses, 106 dentists, and 111 pharmacists) who had worked in healthcare for at least one year. Data were obtained using the five-domain Interprofessional Attitudes Scale (IPAS). To analyse quantitative data, descriptive statistics and One-Way ANOVA were utilised. The qualitative component included in-depth interviews with four clinical supervisors from various healthcare institutions who observed graduates' interprofessional activities. Transcribed interview data was thematised. All subjects gave informed consent and ethical approval. Results: Most graduates were proficient or extremely skilled in interprofessional teamwork. Graduates reported better competence in women than men (p < 0.001). With few distinctions, general practitioners, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists were highly competent. Patient-centeredness (4.6) and diversity and ethics (4.6) had the greatest attitude scores, but interprofessional prejudice (2.7) needed development. Six topics emerged from qualitative research: Emergency care had the most collaboration practices; the need to clarify professional roles and reduce prejudice; the importance of open communication; time and resource constraints; the value of practical interprofessional learning experiences; and graduate competence in teamwork and communication. Conclusion: Interprofessional attitudes and competences, especially patient-centeredness and ethics, are high. Addressing interprofessional prejudice and enhancing systemic cooperation support are still needed. IPE programs can improve graduates' interprofessional practice preparedness in varied healthcare situations by strengthening practical learning, communication, and leadership abilities.