Interprofessional education and collaborative practice policies and law: an international review and reflective questions

Marie-Andrée Girard

doi:10.1186/s12960-020-00549-w

Abstract

BackgroundHealthcare is a complex sociolegal setting due to the number of policymakers, levels of governance and importance of policy interdependence. As a desirable care approach, collaborative practice (referred to as interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP)) is influenced by this complex policy environment from the beginning of professionals’ education to their initiation of practice in healthcare settings.Main bodyAlthough data are available on the influence of policy and law on IPECP, published articles have tended to focus on a single aspect of policy or law, leading to the development of an interesting but incomplete picture. Through the use of two conceptual models and real-world examples, this review article allows IPECP promoters to identify policy issues that must be addressed to foster IPECP. Using a global approach, this article aims to foster reflection among promoters and stakeholders of IPECP on the global policy and law environment that influences IPECP implementation.ConclusionIPECP champions and stakeholders should be aware of the global policy and legal environment influencing the behaviors of healthcare workers to ensure the success of IPECP implementation.

Highlights

Healthcare is a complex sociolegal setting due to the number of policymakers, levels of governance and importance of policy interdependence
interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) champions and stakeholders should be aware of the global policy and legal environment influ‐ encing the behaviors of healthcare workers to ensure the success of IPECP implementation
This paper aims to provide a review of the current literature as well as some orientation questions that researchers or key stakeholders wanting to promote interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) in their policies and systems must ask themselves

Summary

Introduction

Healthcare is a complex sociolegal setting due to the number of policymakers, levels of governance and importance of policy interdependence. As a desirable care approach, collaborative practice (referred to as inter‐ professional education and collaborative practice (IPECP)) is influenced by this complex policy environment from the beginning of professionals’ education to their initiation of practice in healthcare settings. This article aims to foster reflec‐ tion among promoters and stakeholders of IPECP on the global policy and law environment that influences IPECP implementation. This paper aims to provide a review of the current literature as well as some orientation questions that researchers or key stakeholders wanting to promote interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) in their policies and systems must ask themselves. Two main models for conceptualizing the importance of policy and law for IPECP implementation and promotion are available in the literature

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion