What is Collaborative Practice?

Although the idea of working together makes sense, working collaboratively is not innate. During training, health care providers may have some experience in teamwork but most learning is discipline/profession specific. Different health care providers may use different language for the same thing e.g. patient, client, resident, consumer, or use the same term to mean something different e.g. guidelines.

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The following are definitions of collaborative practice written by students in nursing, medicine, occupational therapy and physical therapy. Read the definitions, noting similarities and differences.

Nursing

Working as a team with respect and value for each team member's unique role and contribution.

Medicine

Considering a patient's problems from a multidisciplinary perspective. Incorporating other disciplines' concerns into your work.

OT

Being able to combine several aspects of health care to make an intervention plan that is specific to an individual.

PT

Individuals with various professional backgrounds working together and combining their expertise with other individuals to develop/establish a diagnosis, treatment goals and plans and ensure that a patient is receiving the best care possible.