Discrimination—a hidden barrier to the development of interprofessional practice

The development of interprofessional practice is dependent on an environment that facilitates the appropriate conditions, which includes a flattened hierarchy and equality between professionals. This may be viewed as a threat to traditional power bases and discrimination may occur by those who seek to retain the status quo. If this is to be overcome the professions need to accept that this discrimination occurs, however subtle and covert, and seek through education to redress the balance so as to create mutual respect for other professions.