Better health for all

Competency 5:
Interprofessional
Communication INTERPROFESSIONAL
COMMUNICATION IN ACTION
What is it interprofessional A client of a Community ACCESS Centre is living
communication? independently in the community with Type 2 diabetes,
Interprofessional communication occurs when health depression and chronic pain. Over the past year she has
providers/students communicate with each other, with been working with her nurse practitioner (NP), her daughter
people and their families, and with the community in an and other providers at the ACCESS Centre to develop
open, collaborative and responsible manner. This type of strategies to improve her health.
communication builds trust amongst people, their families and
team members. She appreciates how the ACCESS Centre team works
together. They welcome her daughter to appointments
An environment of mutual respect is essential for and share information while keeping her goals for
interprofessional communication. Respect helps facilitate health at the forefront.
a positive environment in which to set shared goals, create
Since attending the ACCESS Centre she has primarily
collaborative plans, make decisions and share responsibilities.
worked with her NP but she has seen the dietitian,
diabetes nurse, a counsellor, the lab tech and one of the
How does it work? physicians. Her NP also consulted a pain specialist as well
Respectful interprofessional communication hinges on as a physiotherapist for acupuncture and created a home
transparent, honest interactions. This communication helps exercise plan to reduce her pain and increase her mobility.
demonstrate and build trust. Her NP helped to arrange for the seniors resource team (a
registered nurse and occupational therapist) to come into
Each member of the healthcare her home to do a falls risk assessment.
team facilitates good
interprofessional communication As a result of the ACCESS Centres team members
by: involvement and interprofessional communication, the
actively listening and paying client now feels safer in her home, has started volunteering
attention to non-verbal at a local seniors centre as she has more energy and she has
communication better control over her diabetes. Working with her NP and
her team at the ACCESS Centre has empowered her to feel
coming to a common
understanding regarding care more in control of her health and her future.
decisions
effectively using information and Outcome
communication technology Interprofessional communication builds trust and
considering whether negotiation, understanding, which leads to better person-centred
consultation, interaction, health outcomes.
discussion or debate is best
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Collaborative Person-Centred
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