Implementing Interprofessional Collaboration in Transitional Care: A Review of Evidence and Policy Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/curatio.v2i1.1411Keywords:
Interprofessional Collaboration, Transitional Care, Healthcare Teams, Sustainability, LeadershipAbstract
Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is essential for quality transitional care, yet systemic, cultural, and operational barriers hinder its implementation. Embedding IPC into health system infrastructure is critical for sustainability and improved outcomes, particularly during hospital-to-community transitions. This review synthesized qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method evidence on IPC implementation in transitional care, organizing findings thematically to identify best practices, barriers, and implementation strategies, aligned with the WHO IPCHS and IPEC frameworks. Evidence indicates that IPC sustainability requires institutionalization through standardized pathways, team competency frameworks, and digital coordination tools. Collective and distributed leadership plays a central role in overcoming professional silos and driving cultural transformation. Feedback mechanisms—such as Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles, validated transition measures (e.g., CTM-15), and event classification tools—support continuous learning and adaptation. Interprofessional education (IPE), when aligned with practice expectations and backed by leadership, strengthens workforce readiness. International comparisons show that while IPC principles are transferable, successful implementation depends on contextual adaptation and culturally sensitive measurement systems. Embedding IPC in policy and institutional practice requires cross-sector collaboration, strategic workforce investment, and robust monitoring. Policymakers should mandate IPC competencies in professional training, support feedback-driven implementation, and fund interoperable digital infrastructure, with local adaptation and system-level leadership essential for scaling IPC sustainably.
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