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Running Head: INTERPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Interprofessional Team Experience: Improving patient care

Basma Idris

Wilkes University Pasaan School of Nursing

NSG 411: Leadership and Management Practicum

Professor Lori Novitski

October 10th, 2021

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Running Head: INTERPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Interprofessional Team experience: Improving patient Care

An interprofessional team was designed for better care of the patient. This team is made

up of people with different roles and are involved in patient care. “Interprofessional teamwork is

the means by which different healthcare professionals- with diverse knowledge, skills, and

talents-work together to achieve a common goal” (Scaria,2016). Being able to experience this

type of team was eye opening.  Seeing people with different roles, had its advantages and

disadvantages at the same time. Since this place was a long-term place/rehabilitation it works a

little other than big hospitals.

The type of team and purpose 

“The Institute of Medicine and the national institute of health (NIH) called for healthcare

professionals to engage in interprofessional collaboration and practice to solve complex needs

within a fast-changing healthcare system” (Interprofessional team performance optimized, 2017).

Every year, a new development in healthcare occurs, which means further information is needed

to be learned to care better for patients. Many of them have chronic diseases in this

rehabilitation/ long-term care facility; that’s why interprofessional teams are critical to managing

those patients. For example, diabetes type 2, hypertension, and long-term antibiotics are in this

facility. 

 Diabetes management

The team working with a pharmacy company decided on ways to better manage type two

diabetes, especially uncontrolled blood sugar levels. This company introduced two new drugs to

the facility. One drug that was presented was Trulicity injection. This drug is supposed to help

those with type 2 diabetes and can’t balance blood sugar. This is used once weekly and any time

of day with or without food. “Trulicity controls blood sugar in 3 ways; limit how much sugar
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gets into your blood from the liver, helps slow down how quickly food leaves your stomach, and

helps your pancreas release insulin in response to high levels of sugar in your blood after eating”

(What is Trulicity, 2020). The benefit of this drug is that it prevents repeated finger sticks, in

which you must check sugar levels before every meal. However, the one problem that was

brought up is, not sure if insurance will cover most people and how well other patients would

respond to this. Another drug that was brought up is a nasal spray type of glucagon. This is a

unique kind of drug because it is easy to use and works quickly. With the original glucagon, you

would have to pull out a needle, shake the vial, and so on, just to give it to the person, however

with this nasal spray you just spray it into each nostril, and that’s it. Saves time. 

IV therapy and long-term use. Another thing discussed by the IV team was a new type of IV

catheter used for those supposed to be on any IV medication for more than a week. This prevents

poking a person to insert a new IV every week and is less likely to be infiltrated. For example, a

lot of people who come to the facility are mainly on an antibiotic, which lasts for like a month

usually. So, this is a good use of this kind of IV line. Training or in-services will be held for

nurses and respiratory therapists, who would love to learn how to insert this type of IV, because

it requires some steps to be done. 

Who’s involved in this team. The team consisted of Unit Nurse managers, which are responsible

for getting the information out to each of their units. Each nurse was able to discuss why they

think these new drugs would work or not. Diabetes management was a problem in the faculty, So

the MD involved also believed that these drugs might be good to consider. Respiratory therapists

were also involved and case management. Since case management are involved in budgeting for

the company, they can see how the facility and patients cover these drugs. This type of team is
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more of a primary work team. Everyone puts in their knowledge and experience and works

together for the greater good of patients and staff. 

PROs and CONs of an interprofessional team 

Even Though having an interprofessional team is beneficial, there are some advantages as

well as disadvantages to go with it. Improving patient care and outcomes, is always a priority for

this type of team. Those involved want what’s best for patient, facility and staff. This is one

benefit of an interprofessional team. Another advantage is reduced inefficiencies and healthcare

costs. Like with new drugs being introduced every time, cost is always the main concern for

patient and facility (TigerConnect,2019). So as a team they work together on gathering ideas on

how to save money and at the same time, make use of these new medications being introduced.

Medical errors reduced is another benefit to an interprofessional team. Usually, they get together

and include how a facility can reduce cost, time and responsibilities but without causing harm.

However multiple responsibilities and job duties is one disadvantage. Now that more things are

being added to policies, or new procedures and drugs are being introduced, more duties are being

added. This can be a little overwhelming to some. Another disadvantage is “Discomfort with

performance review by team members of different professional backgrounds”

(TigerConnect,2019). Some people are afraid if they put their opinion out, others won’t agree to

it or might sound unimportant to company goal.

Conclusion

In general, an interprofessional team, is an important for patient care. Although there may

be disadvantages, there are still a lot of benefits to it. An interprofessional team involves many

people who are involved in patient care. Sometimes even family members and patient are
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Running Head: INTERPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

involved. the interprofessional experience I had, involved different team members, with different

roles, and together they were deciding on the benefits of new things to facility like medications.
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References

Interprofessional Team Performance optimized (2017, July): Nursing management. LWW.

Retrieved October 5, 2021, from

https://journals.lww.com/nursingmanagement/fulltext/2017/07000/interprofessional_team

_performance,_optimized.10.aspx. 

Scaria, M. K. (2016, January 15). Role of care pathways in interprofessional teamwork. Minimol

Kulakkottu Scaria. Retrieved October 5, 2021, from https://journals.rcni.com/nursing-

standard/role-of-care-pathways-in-interprofessional-teamwork-ns.2016.e10402. 

TigerConnect  on November 4, 2019. (2021, July 22). 5 benefits of interprofessional

collaboration in Healthcare. TigerConnect. Retrieved October 5, 2021, from

https://tigerconnect.com/blog/5-benefits-of-interprofessional-collaboration-in-

healthcare/#:~:text=5%20Benefits%20of%20Interprofessional%20Collaboration%20in

%20Healthcare%201,structures%2C%20some%20members%E2%80%99%20voices

%20get%20prioritized%20over%20others. 

What is Trulicity & Easy to use pen: Trulicity (dulaglutide). What is Trulicity & Easy To Use

Pen | Trulicity (dulaglutide). (2020). Retrieved October 5, 2021, from

https://www.trulicity.com/what-is-trulicity#what-is-trulicity.