Essential features influencing collaboration in team-based non-specific back pain rehabilitation

Background: There is an existing body of knowledge regarding elements that influence collaboration. However, interprofessional teamwork is a complex, multifaceted activity and the implementation of interprofessional teamwork... [ view full abstract ]

Background: There is an existing body of knowledge regarding elements that influence collaboration. However, interprofessional teamwork is a complex, multifaceted activity and the implementation of interprofessional teamwork needs to be studied in particular contexts. The aim of this study was to explore how professionals, without guidelines for implementing interprofessional teamwork, experience the collaboration within team-based rehabilitation for people with non-specific back pain and how this collaboration influences their clinical practice.
Method: This study has a mixed method design. All participants were involved in team-based rehabilitation for people with non-specific back pain. A questionnaire was answered by 383 participants and 17 participants were interviewed.
Results: The quantitative results showed that the participants were satisfied with their team-based collaboration. High staff turnover was associated with the collaboration and clinical practice. The qualitative findings revealed essential features for a fruitful collaboration. These were; shared basic values and supporting each other. Aspects such as having enough time for reflection, staff continuity, and a shared view of the team members’ roles were identified as influencing the participants’ clinical practice.
Conclusion: Shared values and basic assumptions are prerequisites of fruitful collaboration.
Application to practice: Important clinical implications for nurturing and developing a collaboration in team-based rehabilitation are to create shared basic values, and a unified view of all team members’ roles
and their contributions to the team. These aspects need to be emphasised on an ongoing basis and not only when the team is formed.