Interprofessional Collaboration in Multiple Sclerosis Management Course

Abstract

Interdisciplinary and interprofessional teamwork is essential in the provision of optimized healthcare. Today’s patients have complex health needs and typically require more than one discipline to address issues regarding their health status. The division of labor among medical, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health practitioners means that there isn’t any single professional who can ensure complete and quality healthcare delivery. Interprofessional collaborative practice has been defined as a process that includes communication and decision-making, enabling a synergistic influence of grouped knowledge and skills. Collaborative practice happens when multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds work together with patients, families, caregivers and communities to deliver the highest quality of care. It allows health workers to engage any individual whose skills can help achieve local health goals. Currently, Khartoum University located in Sudan integrates interprofessional collaboration with the Professionalism and Ethics course. This article outlines a potential university’s strategy to expand upon current interprofessional collaboration practices to include practical integration in other medical courses and other allied health students. The article uses Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Treatment as a case study as it involves medical specialists, specialized nurses, and other paramedical disciplines.