How is Interprofessional Collaboration Applied by Radiation Therapists in the Radiation Therapy Department in British Columbia?

Abstract

IntroductionInterprofessional collaboration (IPC) is the process when multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds work together with patients to deliver the highest quality of care. IPC can improve communication and knowledge sharing between collaborating professionals and can lead to an increase in efficient patient care. In the radiation therapy department, radiation oncologists, nurses, medical physicists, and radiation therapists are the key professionals involved in the multidisciplinary care team. MethodsAlthough there is ample literature about interprofessional collaboration, very little of it is focused in radiation oncology. Using SurveyMonkey, an online survey was made available to radiation therapists in British Columbia, Canada, for a period of 3 months. In the six British Columbia Cancer Agency centres, champion disseminators assisted in distributing the survey link through e-mail. The questions pertained to the type of IPC, frequency, and modes of collaboration along with radiation therapists' level of satisfaction with collaboration. The number of respondents was 124. ResultsThe results indicate that the top three professionals who radiation therapists collaborate with are radiation oncologists, nurses, and medical physicists, respectively. The frequency of IPC is mostly one to five times in 5 working days. The preferred method of communication with oncologists and physicists is face-to-face interactions or phone calls. The favoured method of communication with nurses is through tasking. E-mail is the least preferred method. ConclusionsBritish Columbia radiation therapists are generally satisfied with IPC. Some suggestions for improvements regarding communication efficiency and respect for others' roles, responsibilities, and professions are made. Overall, results of this study show that IPC generates positive attitudes, teamwork, and a patient-centred model.