title: Interprofessional collaboration at transition of care: perspectives of child and family health nurses and midwives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine collaboration in the provision of universal health services for children and families in Australia from the perspective of midwives and child health and family health nurses.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Collaboration is identified as a key concept contributing to families' smooth transition between maternity and child health services. However, evidence suggests that collaboration between services is often lacking. Few studies have explored how maternity and child health and family health services or professionals collaborate to facilitate a smooth transition.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study reports on data collected in phases 1 and 2 of a three-phase mixed-methods study investigating the feasibility of implementing a national approach to child health and family health services in Australia (Child Health: Researching Universal Services study).
  
  
  METHODS
  In phase 1, consultations (via discussion groups, focus groups and teleconferences) were held with 45 midwives and 60 child health and family health nurses. Themes identified were used to develop phase 2 surveys. In phase 2, 1098 child health and family health nurses and 655 midwives returned surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Midwives and child health and family health nurses reported 'some collaboration'. Midwives and child health and family health nurses indicated that collaboration was supported by having agreement on common goals and recognising and valuing the contributions of others. Organisational barriers such as poor communication and information transfer processes obstructed relationships. Good collaboration was reported more frequently when working with other professionals (such as allied health professionals) to support families with complex needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides information on the nature and extent of collaboration from the perspective of midwives and child health and family health nurses providing universal health services for children and families.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both professional groups emphasised the impact of service disconnection on families. However, their ability to negotiate professional differences is affected by system constraints and differing perspectives of what constitutes collaboration. Developing the capacity to collaborate is essential to ensure smooth transition of care given ongoing changes to the system.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Psaila
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schmied
authors.forename: Cathrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kruske
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery; D062209:Patient Handoff / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: child and family health nurses; collaboration; continuity; family health; midwives; transition