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Midwife–Physician Collaboration: A Conceptual Framework for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice
Author(s) -
Smith Denise Colter
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1111/jmwh.12204
Subject(s) - conceptual framework , foundation (evidence) , process (computing) , interprofessional education , health care , knowledge management , the conceptual framework , conceptual model , collaborative care , empirical research , nursing , collaborative learning , psychology , medical education , medicine , sociology , computer science , political science , art , social science , philosophy , epistemology , database , performance art , law , art history , operating system
Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, collaborative practice has been cited as one method of increasing access to care, decreasing costs, and improving efficiency. How and under what conditions might these goals be achieved? Midwives and physicians have built effective collaborative practice models over a period of 30 years. Empirical study of interprofessional collaboration between midwives and physicians could be useful in guiding professional education, regulation, and health policy in women's health and maternity care. Methods Construction of a conceptual framework for interprofessional collaboration between midwives and physicians was guided by a review of the literature. A theory derivation strategy was used to define dimensions, concepts, and statements of the framework. Results Midwife–physician interprofessional collaboration can be defined by 4 dimensions (organizational, procedural, relational, and contextual) and 12 concepts (trust, shared power, synergy, commitment, and respect, among others). The constructed framework provides the foundation for further empirical study of the interprofessional collaborative process. Discussion The experiences of midwife–physician collaborations provide solid support for a conceptual framework of the collaborative process. A conceptual framework provides a point from which further research can increase knowledge and understanding about how successful outcomes are achieved in collaborative health care practices. Construction of a measurement scale and validation of the model are important next steps.