Interprofessional Collaboration in Primary Care: Concept Analysis

Introduction: The concept of collaboration in primary care is described using various terms, reflecting differences in context and professional roles. Although interprofessional collaboration is not a new concept in health care, various terms reflect the complexity and diversity of the different roles and contributions of each health profession. Hence, this study aimed to analyze the concept of interprofessional collaboration in primary care. Methods: The concept was analyzed using Walker and Avant’s eight-step method. A literature search was also done using the following databases: Clinical Key, Scopus, ScienceDirect and PubMed from January 2010 to February 2024. The search terms used were "interprofessional collaboration" AND "primary care" OR "primary health care". In the initial search, 315 articles were found but finally 17 articles were deemed relevant and included in the analysis. Results: Key defining attributes of interprofessional collaboration include effective communication, teamwork, patient-centered care, shared leadership, and mutual respect. Antecedents include organizational support, education/ training, and commitment. Consequences of interprofessional collaboration include improved quality of care, improved patient satisfaction, efficiency in the disease management, and professional development. Conclusion: Five attributes of interprofessional collaboration, its antecedents, and consequences may aid researchers in better understanding the concept and its application in nursing practice. Caring-centered relationships, which lie at the core of nursing practice, are essential to supporting interprofessional collaboration.