Abstract
Introduction
Collaborative practice models of healthcare are required to best meet the complex needs of contemporary patients and clients (1), particularly those in rural and remote settings. Allied health professionals are integral to collaborative practice in healthcare settings and come from diverse origins, work in many groupings and have relatively flat hierarchical structures, as distinct to medicine and nursing (2,3). These unique characteristics of allied health professionals highlight the importance of deeply and richly understanding the notion of allied health collaborative practice capability (4, 5).
Methods
This qualitative research was informed by philosophical hermeneutics which helps deepen understandings of social phenomena (6). We explored perceptions of allied health academics and students from two Australian Universities in relation to developing capabilities key for allied health collaborative healthcare practice. This research was conducted with ethical approval from the Charles Sturt University Ethics in Human Research Committee (protocol number 2014/219). This approval covered ethics approval for the second university.
Findings & Discussion
This research explores the nature of allied health collaborative practice capability, illuminating a plurality and coalescence of underpinning capabilities interpreted from literature and experiential studies (7). Findings highlighted nine key capabilities located in contextual, social and individual domains. Contextual capabilities comprise adaptability, responsiveness and persistence; social capabilities include friendliness, openness and reciprocity; and professional expertise, willingness and flexibility are integral individual capabilities. These capabilities are drawn on discretely or concurrently depending on the situation at hand, particularly important in navigating the challenges and complexities of rural and remote healthcare settings.
Conclusion
This research invites reflection on collaborative practice capability; how allied health professionals draw on capabilities for collaborative practice; and how a more nuanced understanding of the plurality and coalescence of collaborative practice capability may inform healthcare practice and education.
Collaborative practice models of healthcare are required to best meet the complex needs of contemporary patients and clients (1), particularly those in rural and remote settings. Allied health professionals are integral to collaborative practice in healthcare settings and come from diverse origins, work in many groupings and have relatively flat hierarchical structures, as distinct to medicine and nursing (2,3). These unique characteristics of allied health professionals highlight the importance of deeply and richly understanding the notion of allied health collaborative practice capability (4, 5).
Methods
This qualitative research was informed by philosophical hermeneutics which helps deepen understandings of social phenomena (6). We explored perceptions of allied health academics and students from two Australian Universities in relation to developing capabilities key for allied health collaborative healthcare practice. This research was conducted with ethical approval from the Charles Sturt University Ethics in Human Research Committee (protocol number 2014/219). This approval covered ethics approval for the second university.
Findings & Discussion
This research explores the nature of allied health collaborative practice capability, illuminating a plurality and coalescence of underpinning capabilities interpreted from literature and experiential studies (7). Findings highlighted nine key capabilities located in contextual, social and individual domains. Contextual capabilities comprise adaptability, responsiveness and persistence; social capabilities include friendliness, openness and reciprocity; and professional expertise, willingness and flexibility are integral individual capabilities. These capabilities are drawn on discretely or concurrently depending on the situation at hand, particularly important in navigating the challenges and complexities of rural and remote healthcare settings.
Conclusion
This research invites reflection on collaborative practice capability; how allied health professionals draw on capabilities for collaborative practice; and how a more nuanced understanding of the plurality and coalescence of collaborative practice capability may inform healthcare practice and education.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
| Event | SARRAH 15th National Allied Health Rural and Remote Conference - Mildura Grand Hotel, Mildura, Australia Duration: 21 Oct 2024 → 23 Oct 2024 Conference number: 15 https://sarrahconference.com.au/ https://pub-705249df2c424f38876839512caf5b18.r2.dev/SARRAH%202024%20Program%20FINAL%2020241015.pdf (Program) |
Conference
| Conference | SARRAH 15th National Allied Health Rural and Remote Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Going the Distance: Thriving in Rural and Remote Communities |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Mildura |
| Period | 21/10/24 → 23/10/24 |
| Other | The National Conference for Rural and Remote Allied Health is the centrepiece of SARRAH’s engagement with our members and all allied health professionals, service providers, academics, students, and local, state and Commonwealth governments, working to ensure equitable access to allied health services and better health outcomes for rural and remote Australians. The purpose of our gathering is to share knowledge and thought leadership in the rural and remote allied health sector while networking with new and old friends. |
| Internet address |