Collaborating within and Across Interprofessional Teams

Abstract

Well-developed communication skills facilitate effective work with both colleagues and members of other professions, and are thus a core element of effective social work in any setting. Collaborating with other disciplines to provide service to client groups and meet agency objectives is vital for safe work in rural communities. Interprofessional collaborative practice is believed to be a key strategy to enhance quality client-centred service delivery and excellent communication. Across the globe, initiatives to improve interprofessional collaborative practice have been on the policy agenda. Social workers in rural settings encounter many social and health inequalities, and for rural practice to address these it is suggested that collaborative approaches are required. Child welfare services employ many social workers in rural settings, and these services face particular challenges. In health, telemedicine has also provided much-needed support for small rural health-care agencies, providing the means for staff to network for consultation and examination and discuss treatment recommendations.