Perceptions of Collaboration and Mutual Respect Among Members of Interprofessional Teams

Perceptions of Collaboration and Mutual Respect Among Members of Interprofessional Teams by Brenda Lankhof MN, University of Windsor, 2009 BScN, University of Windsor, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Nursing Walden University August 2018 Abstract Government agencies are encouraging healthcare practitioners to work in interprofessional teams to address the complex needs of an aging population, to improve client outcomes, and to increase the cost-effectiveness of health care. However, a clearer understanding of the elements required for an effective interprofessional collaborative practice is needed. The purpose of this online, descriptive study was to focus on one component, mutual respect, and determine its relationship to collaboration among members of interprofessional teams working in family health teams (FHTs) and community health centers (CHCs) across Ontario. D’Amour’s four-dimensional model of collaboration was used as the theoretical basis. This model suggests that collective action can be analyzed based on shared goals and vision, internalization, formalization, and governance. FHTs and CHCs were contacted by telephone and email to recruit participants and 99 healthcare professionals returned usable surveys. Using Spearman’s rho and multiple regression, a significant positive relationship was found between mutual respect and collaboration. After controlling for the respondents’ demographic characteristics, the correlation between these variables remained significant. Correlation scores between mutual respect and collaboration were higher in FHTs compared to CHCs. Significant differences in scores were also demonstrated between nurses and nonurses, and levels of education. This research provided data on how collaboration is progressing, how respected professionals felt, and assisted in the identification of areas that may be influential in making improvements. The knowledge obtained can affect positive social change by influencing practice, education, and guiding future research.Government agencies are encouraging healthcare practitioners to work in interprofessional teams to address the complex needs of an aging population, to improve client outcomes, and to increase the cost-effectiveness of health care. However, a clearer understanding of the elements required for an effective interprofessional collaborative practice is needed. The purpose of this online, descriptive study was to focus on one component, mutual respect, and determine its relationship to collaboration among members of interprofessional teams working in family health teams (FHTs) and community health centers (CHCs) across Ontario. D’Amour’s four-dimensional model of collaboration was used as the theoretical basis. This model suggests that collective action can be analyzed based on shared goals and vision, internalization, formalization, and governance. FHTs and CHCs were contacted by telephone and email to recruit participants and 99 healthcare professionals returned usable surveys. Using Spearman’s rho and multiple regression, a significant positive relationship was found between mutual respect and collaboration. After controlling for the respondents’ demographic characteristics, the correlation between these variables remained significant. Correlation scores between mutual respect and collaboration were higher in FHTs compared to CHCs. Significant differences in scores were also demonstrated between nurses and nonurses, and levels of education. This research provided data on how collaboration is progressing, how respected professionals felt, and assisted in the identification of areas that may be influential in making improvements. The knowledge obtained can affect positive social change by influencing practice, education, and guiding future research. Perceptions of Collaboration and Mutual Respect Among Members of Interprofessional Teams by Brenda Lankhof MN, University of Windsor, 2009 BScN, University of Windsor, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Nursing Walden University August 2018 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to those who supported me throughout this process. Specifically, I want to dedicate this to my Lord and Savior. He is the One who blessed me with the skill, knowledge, and perseverance to complete this journey. Next, I want to dedicate this dissertation to my loving family. My dad, who is no longer with me physically, has always been my biggest fan and was very proud of all my education and career accomplishments. Thank you, Dad, for believing that I could succeed at anything I put my mind to. My husband, John, for his constant love, encouragement, and support. Although you may not have had a clue to exactly what I was undertaking, your quiet presence was what I needed most. Plus, I would have gone hungry without you! To my children, for understanding that I couldn’t always be there to help with child care, household chores, or school work. I especially want to dedicate this dissertation to my daughter, Kadee, for her help with proof reading and finding just the right words or phrases to use when I was struggling. Finally, I want to dedicate this dissertation to all my friends who stuck by me when I had to miss celebrations and made the effort to get together despite having to work around my crazy schedule. I could not have completed this dissertation without the support of each one of you. Acknowledgments I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Walden University, Dr. Nancy Moss, and the wonderful staff who supported me each step of the way. To my chair, Dr. Leslie Hussey, thank you for your support, understanding, and wisdom. Your encouraging words during a difficult time in my life gave me the strength I needed to see this process through until completion. Thank you also for your quick reviews of my submissions and the constructive criticism which made this dissertation so much better. To my committee member Dr. Janice Long, thank you for your wisdom in methodology and statistical analysis. Your questions and suggestions encouraged me to think broader and to explain the quantitative components of my study in a clear, concise manner. Finally, to my URR, Dr. Mary Martin, thank you for your quick responses and positive review of my work. I have so appreciated each one of you for always being available and for contributing so significantly to my learning journey as your assistance has allowed me to complete a dissertation which I am very proud of.