Organizational Recommendations

8.2 Organizations need to engage and develop leaders at every level, including among their point-of-care health professionals, for successful interprofessional care. Strategies for doing that include:

a. Developing interprofessional care champions/role models in different professions and programs; and

b. Offering leadership courses to introduce the concepts and competencies of interprofessional care and its management.

9.1 Organizations promote interprofessional care by developing a culture that expects collaboration and creates the operational supports it will need to succeed by:

a. Establishing human resources plans that allow dedicated time and coverage for staff to participate in interprofessional activities e.g. team development, a team charter (see Appendix E, H) and effective communication;

b. Designing buildings, spaces, programs and care pathways to accommodate and encourage interprofessional care; and

c. Considering shared spaces for patients/clients and team members to enhance opportunities for communication and innovation.

10.1 Organizations can support interprofessional care through enhanced communication by:

a. Establishing effective communication processes and tools to support collaboration and communication in teams, professions, with patients/clients and across programs and organizations;

b. Standardizing documentation and encouraging information sharing;

c. Adopting strategies to tackle issues such as “turf” protection and disrespectful communication; and

d. Creating a culture that promotes regular formal and informal communication among team members with team rounds and care conferences.