Abstract
(1) Background: Effective healthcare collaboration not only improves the outcomes of patients, but also provides benefits to healthcare providers. A patient-centered communication platform, a so-called “one-stop platform”, is necessary to promote interprofessional collaboration (IPC) for optimal patient care. (2) Methods: Chi Mei Medical Center developed a patient-centered computerized platform to fulfill interprofessional collaboration needs. The platform features a spiral-shaped integrated care area and a communication area that allows the medical team to access patients’ information including the medical care they received within seven days, and veritably shows whether the team members have read communication messages. After pilot adoption, an online survey was conducted. (3) Results: A one-stop IPC platform was implemented and promoted for patient care. The online survey revealed that medical team members have high positive appraisal of the platform. It also pointed out that resistance to change among the medical team still has a significant impact on behavioral intention. (4) Conclusions: The interprofessional collaboration platform was recognized by the medical teams of Chi Mei Medical Center as an effective and convenient tool for assisting clinical decision making. However, actions to reduce user resistance to change and encourage collaboration among team members still need to be continued. Shared decision making within physicians and patients will be valuable to develop in the platform in the future.
Highlights
Providing healthcare requires a set of highly specialized skills; teamwork among the medical team is necessary to provide holistic care
These indicate that the respondents have high appreciation of the platform
In 2001, the American Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocated that the training of medical professionals should equip them with the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team [26] so they can deal with increasingly complicated medical situations [27]
Summary
Providing healthcare requires a set of highly specialized skills; teamwork among the medical team is necessary to provide holistic care. Medical errors at any level may cause mental and physical harm to patients. Medical care requires a high level of interprofessional collaboration (IPC). Medical team members must practice interdependence and mutual collaboration to ensure the provision of optimal patient care. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines IPC as ‘multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds working together with patients, families, caregivers, and communities to deliver the highest quality of care’ [1]. Insufficient team work and communication is one of the main causes for medical errors and/or near misses [2,3]. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare 2020, 8, 241; doi:10.3390/healthcare8030241 www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcare
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
