Identifying facilitators and barriers for implementation of interprofessional education: Perspectives from medical educators in the Netherlands.
Patient care and patient safety can be compromised by the lack of interprofessional collaboration and communication between healthcare providers. Interprofessional education (IPE) should therefore start during medical training and not be postponed until after graduation. This case study explored the current situation in the Dutch context and interviewed experts within medical education and with pioneers of successful best practices to learn more about their experiences with IPE. Data analysis started while new data were still collected, resulting in an iterative, constant comparative process. Using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis framework, we identified barriers and facilitators such as lack of a collective professional language, insufficient time or budget, stakeholders' resistance, and hierarchy. Opportunities and strengths identified were developing a collective vision, more attention for patient safety, and commitment of teachers. The facilitators and barriers relate to the organisational level of IPE and the educational content and practice. In particular, communication, cohesiveness, and support are influenced by these facilitators. An adequate identification of the SWOT elements in the current situation could prove beneficial for a successful implementation of IPE within the healthcare educational system.
a Center for Evidence-Based Education , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , the Netherlands.
Joy
J
de Vries-Erich
b Medical Faculty , University of Utrecht , Utrecht , the Netherlands.
Kirsten
K
Reuchlin
c Medical Faculty , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , the Netherlands.
Paul
P
de Maaijer
d Office of Medical Education Research and Development, College of Human Medicine , Michigan State University , Grand Rapids , Michigan , USA.
J M Monica
JM
van de Ridder
D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research
Communication; interprofessional collaboration; interprofessional education; support