Interprofessional collaboration in primary health care: the team’s intentions versus the reality of work processes

Abstract

Objective

to compare self-reported interprofessional attitudes according to the teams from different primary health care services with the actual context of work processes.

Method

Quantitative and qualitative study in which data were collected in two stages between December of 2019 and October of 2020. Systematic observation was the strategy used to collect data from primary health care centers. A script based on the Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative framework and the Analyzer Flowchart was used to observe the patient-centered work process. Observations were recorded in a Field Diary, and the Brazilian version of the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration was used.

Results

91 primary health workers completed the scale. The median score was 120, meaning all the health teams value collaborative work. Nonetheless, differences were found between what the participants say and what they do, considering that the structured work process limits collaborative practice.

Conclusions and Implications to Practice

the services need to value programmed activities to promote interprofessional collaboration among health and nursing teams working in primary health care, and reserve time, and give opportunities for meetings to occur. Additionally, training addressing interprofessional collaboration needs to be provided to workers in addition to public policies to ensure mechanisms that promote collaborative practices.

Keywords:
Working Environment; Primary Health Care; Workflow; Workforce; Interprofessional Relations