Self-Assessment of Interprofessional Collaboration: Attitude and Experience of Pediatric Physical Therapists in the Clinical Context

Abdelghany, Reem A.; Aly, Maya G.; Mamdouh, Khaled A.; Eltalawy, Hoda A.

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2022.263565

Self-Assessment of Interprofessional Collaboration: Attitude and Experience of Pediatric Physical Therapists in the Clinical Context

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2022.263565

Abstract

Background: Pediatric rehabilitation is a team-mission that plays an important role in providing comprehensive services by healthcare professionals with diverse academic and professional backgrounds to provide a high-level quality care for children. The Interprofessional education (IPE) is important foundation for Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) of the healthcare system. It positively affects patients and healthcare personnel, especially children and their families. Objective: To assess and compare the development of Interprofessional team collaboration between pediatric physical therapists (PTs), nurses and pediatricians and to assess particular attributes of these professionals that relate to their attitudes towards IPC.
Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional studywas carried out from April 2021 to May 2022, it included 182 medical staff workers of both genders; they held professional degrees and were currently working in governmental hospitals in pediatric settings. They were invited to complete personal information sheets, Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale-II (AITCS-II) and Adapted Version of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Healthcare Teams Scale (ATHCTS). Data were collected and analysed using one-way-MANOVA for quantitative analysis and unpaired t-test for descriptive data.
Results: Comparison of overall scores of both AITCS-II and ATHCTS between physical therapists, nurses and pediatricians indicated non-significant differences. Non-Significant effects were found regarding gender and working periods as a team member (in years) among all professional categories(P>0.05). Comparison between different clinical experience categories AITCS-II were statistically significant (P < 0.05), however the corresponding values of ATHCTS revealed nonsignificant differences (P>0.05).
Conclusion: There is an evident degree of IPC between pediatric PTs, nurses and pediatricians. Participants’ attitudes were positive toward interprofessional health care teams. However, further IPE programs can lay better foundation for achieving IPC in order to guarantee higher-quality health service and better patient outcomes.

Keywords