Interprofessional collaboration in a municipal 24-hour rehabilitation unit. A qualitative study of the professionals' experiences

• Main Authors: Kjersti Kathinka Baklid, Tone Dahl-Michelsen
• Format: Article
• Language: Danish
• Published: Norwegian Physiotherapist Association 2021-10-01
• Series: Fysioterapeuten
• Subjects: inter-professional collaboration; relational expertise; common knowledge; relational agency; municipal 24-hour rehabilitation unit
• Online Access: https://www.fysioterapeuten.no/fagfellevurdert-fysioterapi-rehabilitering/tverrprofesjonelt-samarbeid-i-en-kommunal-dognrehabiliteringsavdeling-en-kvalitativ-studie-av-profesjonsutovernes-erfaringer/135159

Purpose: To investigate how interprofessional collaboration is developed in a municipal 24-hour rehabilitation unit. Design, material and method: Single case study. The empirical material is conducted using focus group interview. The focus group included a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, auxiliary nurse, doctor and nurse. The analysis is thematic, and Edward's theory of interdisciplinary collaboration constitutes the theoretical framework for the analyses. Findings: The findings are presented as four topics: 1) Rehabilitation potential, clarification of expectations and common goal, 2) Practical collaboration and common knowledge, 3) Next of kin as contributors and partners, demanding decisions and grief work and 4) Professional glasses, rehabilitation glasses and common interdisciplinary knowledge. The findings show how relational expertise, common knowledge and relational agency are established as a common interprofessional platform where the sum is larger than the contribution from each of the professionals. The study also shows that patient and next of kin involvement is an important part of the interdisciplinary collaboration. Conclusion: Common knowledge that all professionals share is a central premise in the interdisciplinary collaboration, the knowledge constitutes something more than what the individual profession represents, and the patient and next of kin are involved in the collaboration. Interprofessional collaboration requires that the individual professional is able to contribute to such a common knowledge production.