Importance of Interprofessional Collaboration

Interprofessional collaboration is when multiple people from different professional backgrounds work together to provide care for the individuals they serve. These professionals utilize their knowledge and expertise from their specialized field and work with other professionals to educate, assess, develop plans of care, and treat patients. Interprofessional practice is an important way to improve the experiences and outcomes of the individuals we treat. The ultimate goal of any profession that works with patients/clients and their families is to ensure they are receiving the best possible care they can. With interprofessional collaboration, we are ensuring that all challenges an individual is facing are being addressed. Not only are these challenges being addressed, but all professionals involved are informed of the individual’s needs as a result of the open line of communication that is created through collaboration. 

Professionals that Speech-Language Pathologists may collaborate with:

• Audiologists 
• Social workers
• Teachers
• Dentists
• ENTs
• Oral Surgeons  
• Doctors/Pediatricians
• Occupational/Physical Therapists

And so many more!

-Sarah W.

References:
​​American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). What is Interprofessional Practice? https://www.asha.org/practice/ipe-ipp/what-is-ipp/

Green, B. N., & Johnson, C. D. (2015). Interprofessional collaboration in research, education, and clinical practice: working together for a better future. The Journal of Chiropractic Education, 29(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.7899/JCE-14-36