This Week Your Discussion Will Focus On Interprofessional Pr

This Week Your Discussion Will Focus On Interprofessional Practice Th

This week your Discussion will focus on interprofessional practice. This Discussion is an opportunity for you to examine your perspective and experiences with interprofessional collaborative practice and to apply your knowledge to managing patient care. To prepare: Identify a professional nursing organization and review their position on interprofessional practice Review the following case study: Case Study: Ms. Tuckerno has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The patient receives care at an internal medicine clinic.

Her internist is not in the office today and she is being treated by the nurse practitioner. The patient is on two medications for her MS, three different blood pressure medications, one medication for thyroid disease, one diabetic pill daily, insulin injections twice a day, she uses medical cannabis, and uses eye drops for glaucoma. Upon assessing the patient, the nurse practitioner (NP) decides her treatment plan should be adjusted. The NP discontinues some of the patient’s meds and discontinues medical cannabis. She orders the patient to follow up in two weeks.

The patient returns and is seen by her internist. The internist speaks with the patient and reviews her medical chart. The internist states to the patient, "I am dissatisfied with the care you received from the nurse practitioner." The internist places the patient back on originally prescribed medications and medical cannabis. Post 2 pages on : An explanation of your understanding of interprofessional practice. Also, explain the position on interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization that you are a member of or of which you plan to become a member. Then, explain what you think is the best collaborative approach to manage Ms. Tuckerno’s care. References Required Readings Altman, S. H., Butler, A. S., Shern, L. (Eds.). (2015). Assessing Progress on the IOM Report The Future of Nursing. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Retrieved from doi: 10.17226/21838 Bankston, K., & Glazer, G., (2013) Legislative: Interprofessional collaboration: What’s taking so long? OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 19(1). Buppert, C. (2015). Appendix 11-D: Sample Professional Services Agreement. In Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide (5th ed.) (). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Buppert, C. (2015). Legal Scope of Nurse Practitioner Practice. In Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide (5th ed.) (37-78). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Hain, D., & Fleck, L. (2014). Barriers to nurse practitioner practice that impact healthcare redesign. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 19(2). Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., Tracy, M. F., & O’Grady, E. T. (2014). Collaboration. In Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach (5th ed.) (). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.

Paper For Above instruction

Interprofessional practice (IPP) is a collaborative approach that involves multiple health care professionals working synergistically to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care. It emphasizes mutual respect, shared goals, and effective communication among team members to improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of care. IPP recognizes the unique expertise of each profession—be it nursing, medicine, pharmacy, social work, or others—and promotes a culture of collaboration and mutual understanding. Historically, health care delivery was often fragmented, with professionals working in silos. However, the complexity of modern health issues—such as chronic diseases, mental health, and multimorbidity—necessitates an integrated approach. As a result, interprofessional practice has become vital in fostering teamwork, reducing medical errors, and improving patient satisfaction (Altman et al., 2015).

My understanding of IPP is rooted in the idea that effective collaboration among health care providers leads to better clinical decisions, streamlined services, and holistic patient care. It involves clear communication channels, shared decision-making, and joint accountability for patient outcomes. In nursing, interprofessional collaboration aligns with the core values of advocacy, caring, and professionalism, ensuring that patient needs are prioritized through cohesive team efforts. For instance, nurses often serve as liaisons among different providers, advocating for patient safety and coordinating care plans (Hamric et al., 2014). Institutional support and policy frameworks that promote IPP are essential in overcoming traditional hierarchical barriers that can impede collaboration, especially between nurses and physicians (Bankston & Glazer, 2013).

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is one of the prominent nursing organizations that support interprofessional practice. The ANA's position emphasizes that nurses should be active participants in collaborative health teams, influencing health policy and advocating for team-based models of care. The ANA advocates for scope of practice advancements for nurses, education that prepares practitioners for teamwork, and practice environments that foster shared responsibility for patient outcomes (ANA, 2015). This stance reinforces the idea that nurses are vital contributors to interprofessional teams, especially in complex cases like Ms. Tuckerno's, where the coordination of multiple medications, treatments, and patient preferences is critical.

To optimal manage Ms. Tuckerno's care, a collaborative, patient-centered approach should be implemented. First, establishing a formal interprofessional team—including her internist, nurse practitioner, neurologist, pharmacist, mental health professionals, and potentially a social worker—is essential. Each member would contribute their expertise to develop a comprehensive care plan aligned with Ms. Tuckerno’s health goals and preferences. Effective communication methods such as shared electronic health records (EHRs) ensure transparency and timely updates among team members.

The team should employ shared decision-making strategies, ensuring Ms. Tuckerno is actively involved in her care. Her medication regimen should be reviewed jointly, considering her preferences and potential interactions. Pharmacists can provide medication reconciliation to prevent adverse effects or drug interactions, especially given her polypharmacy. Mental health professionals could address her use of medical cannabis, assessing its role and potential impact on her treatment. Regular interdisciplinary meetings allow the team to evaluate her progress, address concerns, and adjust the plan accordingly. This approach minimizes interprofessional conflicts, such as that seen in the case study, where conflicting opinions about her medications caused confusion and dissatisfaction.

In essence, a collaborative model that emphasizes open communication, mutual respect, and shared responsibility is the most effective approach. It ensures Ms. Tuckerno receives consistent, evidence-based care that respects her autonomy and addresses the multifaceted aspects of her chronic conditions. Such a model not only improves health outcomes but also enhances patient satisfaction and reduces healthcare costs by preventing redundant or conflicting interventions.

References

  • Altman, S. H., Butler, A. S., Shern, L. (Eds.). (2015). Assessing Progress on the IOM Report The Future of Nursing. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/21838
  • Bankston, K., & Glazer, G. (2013). Legislative: Interprofessional collaboration: What’s taking so long? OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol19No01PPT01
  • Buppert, C. (2015). Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
  • Hain, D., & Fleck, L. (2014). Barriers to nurse practitioner practice that impact healthcare redesign. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 19(2). Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
  • Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., Tracy, M. F., & O’Grady, E. T. (2014). Collaboration. In Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach (5th ed.). Saunders.
  • American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. ANA.
  • Reeves, S., Perrier, L., Goldman, J., Freeth, D., & Zwarenstein, M. (2013). Interprofessional education: effects on professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002213.pub2
  • Zimmerman, B., & Waggoner, J. (2016). Interprofessional collaborative practice: A review of the literature. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 6(12), 57-65.
  • World Health Organization. (2010). Framework for Action on Interprofessional Education & Collaborative Practice. WHO.
  • Oandasan, I., & Reeves, S. (2005). Key elements for interprofessional education. Part 1: The learner, the educator and the learning context. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 19(S1), 21-38.