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Welcome to Collaborate for Health, where we champion the power of collaboration to transform healthcare. Explore our collection of insightful articles and blogs, crafted to illuminate the benefits of teamwork in healthcare. From enhancing patient outcomes to streamlining administrative processes, our content is rich with valuable insights. Dive into a wealth of knowledge designed to inspire and inform. Take a moment to explore our website and unlock the potential of collaboration for a healthier future. Read the latest articles covering a variety of topics and perspectives on interprofessional education, interprofessional collaboration, patient advocacy, teamwork and collaboration skills. We are BETTER TOGETHER!

ADVANCING INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE

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Empowering Your Health Journey

General

January 19, 1708•3 min read

Have you ever wondered what sets exceptional healthcare apart? It's not just about treatments and diagnoses. It's about placing you at the captain seat of your health journey. Let's dive into the essence of patient-centered care.

Patient-Centered Care: Unveiling the Essence

Behind the scenes of every healthcare professional's education lies a fundamental principle: patient-centered care. But what does this phrase truly mean, and why should it matter to you?

You Are the Leader of Your Health Team

At its core, patient-centered care positions you as the leader of your health team. It's a commitment from your healthcare provider or team to actively listen to your story, understand your needs, and align with your desired outcomes. This journey involves a comprehensive process, including listening, asking questions, evaluations, and necessary tests such as x-rays or lab work. Your healthcare provider should keep you in the loop, explaining each step and its significance in determining the root cause of your concern.

Informed Decision-Making: Your Right

Following the examination, the dialogue shifts to treatment options. At the very least, two options should be presented – treatment or no treatment. Your provider should give you the necessary information to make an informed decision about your health. For instance, if an x-ray or blood work is recommended, they should clarify why and present alternative ways of identifying the issue, if applicable.

Empowerment Through Education

Healthcare providers are trained to empower patients in making their own healthcare decisions. Through education and information, you gain the knowledge needed to actively participate in the process of what to do next. Remember, the choices you make about your health should align with what you want and value.

You Are in Control

The next time you step into a healthcare setting, embrace the fact that you are the leader of your health team. Your providers are there to empower you through education, ensuring you have the insights to make informed decisions about your health.

Here are my top choices to learn more about patient-centered care. I hope you enjoy learning more, and this information empowers you to lead your healthcare team.

Resources for Patient-Centered Care:

1. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI): Website: PCORI

2. Journal of Patient Experience: Website: Journal of Patient Experience

3. Beryl Institute: Website: Beryl Institute

4. Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care: Website: IPFCC

5. American Interprofessional Health Collaborative: Website: AIHC

Feel free to explore these resources to deepen your understanding of patient-centered care. Each of them offers valuable insights that can empower you to take an active role in leading your healthcare team. Happy learning! 😊

In conclusion, patient-centered care is not just a phrase. It's a commitment to empowering you on your health journey and making sure you have the information you need to be an active participant in making decisions. So, the next time you engage with your health team, remember that you are in control, and your team is there to support and empower you every step of the way.

For more information about patient-centered care, check out www.collaborateforhealth.com.

Your health adventure starts with you!

Tina Patel Gunaldo, PhD, DPT, MHS

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ADVANCING INTERPROFESSIONAL

COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE

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Transforming Healthcare Teams:

Building a Collaborative-Practice Ready Workforce

written by Tina Patel Gunaldo, PhD, DPT, MHS

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the traditional solo approach to education is fading away, making room for a more dynamic and collaborative future. Many health professional programs, a total of twenty-five, now mandate the integration of Interprofessional Education (IPE) into coursework, signaling a shift towards a workforce that is not only skilled in their respective fields but also adept at collaborative practice.

The World Health Organization (WHO) outlines three fundamental principles associated with IPE that serve as the foundation for preparing a "collaborative practice-ready" health workforce. This entails students from various professions learning not just from their coursework but from each other, fostering effective collaboration to enhance health outcomes. This approach becomes a crucial step in responding to local health needs and producing health workers competent and ready for interprofessional teamwork.

While integrating IPE into an already demanding curriculum presents challenges, the promise of collaborative practice cannot be overstated. The benefits extend beyond improved health outcomes to positively impact health professional job satisfaction, reduce burnout, enhance the patient experience, lower long-term health costs, and contribute to achieving the Quintuple Aim.

The healthcare industry has recognized the importance of teamwork in improving both individual health outcomes and population health measures. The National Academy of Sciences, back in 2003, urged the educational system to prepare health professionals for collaborative work, a call that gained further momentum with the support of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for collaborative models such as Accountable Care Organizations and Community Health Centers/Federally Qualified Health Centers. In 2011, the Interprofessional Education Collaborative Panel was established, providing guidance on behavioral expectations associated with interprofessional collaborative practice.

The realization that IPE is a lifelong learning topic, akin to ethics, cultural competence, and clinical skills, underscores the need for clinical and community-practice environments to offer ongoing IPE opportunities for providers. Countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada lead by example, demonstrating their commitment to interprofessional collaborative practices by employing personnel within clinical environments specialized in this area of practice. Embrace the transformative power of collaborative practice and explore how it can revolutionize the way healthcare teams function and deliver care for a brighter, healthier future.