Significance of Collaboration
As a correctional nurse, there are many different disciplines with whom I must communicate not only in disciplines in healthcare, such as physical therapy, dental, and dietary, but also in the criminal justice system, such as probation/parole officers, case managers, educators, and correctional officers. Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is vital within the correctional setting. IPC can be defined as two or more groups of various professions that work together for a common goal (Phillips et al., 2023). To be successful in IPC, all professions must identify common goals with timely, frequent communication (Phillips et al., 2023). Each must understand the other’s role and responsibility and be determined to resolve conflicts while maintaining mutual respect (Phillips et al., 2023). Because of this, each profession in the correctional setting must be determined to work together to maintain the health, safety, and rehabilitation of all incarcerated individuals through IPC.
Interprofessional Collaboration
I will commit to the sub-competency CC1 to use effective communication techniques and tools, including digital technologies, to participate in discussions that will help to create an effective team (Interprofessional Education Collaborative, 2016, pp. 13).
To achieve this sub-competency, identifying effective communication techniques and tools is essential. Two of these include managing stress and having empathy. The ability to manage internal and external stress will determine communication effectiveness within the interprofessional group (Sorensen et al., 2023). Managing stress appropriately will positively impact communication while managing it negatively will adversely affect it and limit the group from achieving their goals (Sorensen et al., 2023). Additionally, having the ability to demonstrate empathy will also impact communication (Moudatsou et al., 2020). Cultivating empathy is an integral part of interprofessional communication because it allows each person to identify the other’s feelings, opinions, and experiences, which shows kindness and respect for each individual (Moudatsou et al., 2020).
Understanding digital technologies and their role in interprofessional communication is essential in committing to sub-competency CC1. The correctional setting where I am employed is spread out over three campuses across the state. This can make it difficult for teams to meet to discuss goals, so using digital communication technologies is vital. Digital tools can improve interprofessional communication and collaboration, increase accessibility, and improve the efficiency of time and resources (Nordmann et al., 2023).
Defensive Behaviors
In IPC, there will be many different personalities with varying ideas regarding situations or how goals should be achieved. Through this process, people can become defensive. When I become defensive, I have a high charge of energy. I can feel myself become angry; my heart races, and I raise my voice. To prevent defensiveness in myself, I have to decrease reactiveness, slow my breathing, and focus more on listening to others to understand what they are trying to say rather than listening to respond. It takes grit to know yourself and your natural reaction to situations honestly. It is the most important trait in participating in IPC. Grit allows you not to accept no for an answer, to get over yourself, to maintain psychological safety, and to define your culture. When I can use grit to overcome defensiveness and know who I am, I will have better outcomes in IPC.
References
Interprofessional Education Collaborative. (2016). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: 2016 update. to an external site.
Moudatsou, M., Stavropoulou, A., Philalithis, A., & Koukouli, S. (2020). The role of empathy in health and social care professionals. Healthcare 8(1), 26. to an external site.
Nordmann, K., Sauter, S., Möbius-Lerch, P., Redlich, M. C., Schaller, M., & Fischer, F. (2023). Conceptualizing interprofessional digital communication and collaboration in health care: Protocol for a scoping review. JMIR Research Protocols, 12.
Phillips, J. D., Villagrana, K. M., Gibbs, D. J., & Goldsborough, E. J. (2023). A quantitative study of the relationship between interprofessional collaboration and job satisfaction among child welfare caseworkers. Families in Society: Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 104(4), 504–516. to an external site.
Sorensen, D., Cristancho, S., Soh, M., & Varpio, L. (2023). Team stress and its impact on interprofessional teams: A narrative review. Teaching and Learning in Medicine. to an external site.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|