Attributes of a collaborative practitioner in the Australian healthcare system

Introduction: Interprofessional collaborative practice is required to organise healthcare around the individual needs and preferences of patients, carers and their families. In order to prepare graduates for interprofessional collaborative practice, the attributes required of health professionals must be made explicit, however at present, there is no consensus regarding the interprofessional competencies required of Australian health professional graduates. This study sought to articulate the current and future (or desired) attributes of a collaborative practitioner within the contemporary healthcare system.

Methods: Taking a constructivist approach, focus groups were conducted with 84 participants, including consumers, education providers and healthcare practitioners, to understand the attributes of a collaborative practitioner. Framework analysis was undertaken to summarise the conceptual, procedural and dispositional knowledge attributes that underpin collaborative practice now and into the future.

Results: Knowledge about patient centredness, healthcare roles and the healthcare system, skills in communication, the efficient use of digital technology, cultural awareness, teamwork, leadership and conflict management and the attributes of respect, trust, empathy and humility featured.

Conclusion: The results of this research establish the groundwork for the development of a collaborative practice competency framework for Australian healthcare practice.