Do we need more training for interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration prior to implementing any primary care research action?

Abstract

There has been a continuously increasing focus and discussion on interdisciplinary collaboration in primary care, across various settings and in different forums, during the past few years. Interprofessional and interdisciplinary collaboration should be a cornerstone of daily practice and context-relevant research. We considered it important for this manuscript to attempt to address some of the key issues linked to the recognised need for competence-based training, focusing on interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration, so as to promote and enhance context-relevant research in primary care. This article provides a general introduction and an overview of this topic, along with some key concepts and operational definitions. These key definitions and their interrelated nature are examined in detail, including those of practice-based research network, patient-centred primary care research, and interdisciplinary partnership for research. Furthermore, this paper outlines the reasons for the strong focus on composition and the development of strategies to enhance the research capacity of interdisciplinary partnerships throughout training. Workforce training, retention and academic collaboration are considered, with a particular focus on primary care, and existing interprofessional relationships and perceptions thereof. Organizational aspects influencing relationships and practice are considered along with their contribution in terms of practice, research and discourse. Finally, conclusions and recommendations, formed under the prism of rapidly changing population needs, person-centred values and the imperative need of bringing innovation to the patient in an effective and efficient manner, are presented for further discussion.