Improving quality of interprofessional collaboration in acute geriatric care: a multicentric action-research based intervention study

Abstract

This study aimed to monitor long-term improvements in the quality of interprofessional teamwork and team meetings in acute geriatric care in hospitals. A two-year participatory action research project involved seven teams implementing actions to optimize interprofessional collaboration to improve person-centered care. Team leaders set improvement goals and were coached through peer group and individual sessions. Team-based self-assessments using Interprofessional Practice & Education Quality (IPEQS) subscale items were conducted as a pretest (T0), posttest (T1) one year later, and follow-up (T2) another year later. A control group of four teams participated in the T0 and T1 assessments. Results showed significant improvement in interprofessional teamwork functioning (Interprofessional Practice & Education Quality Scales - Short Scan IPEQS-S: p = 0.013). Process evaluation showed improvement in organization of interdisciplinary meetings, interprofessional formulation of patient care goals and increased critical reflection. The study concludes that quality of team functioning can be significantly and sustainably improved through consensus-based organizational changes and coaching support.

Keywords: Acute geriatric care; Interprofessional collaboration; Participatory action research; Team-based learning; Teamwork.