Factors that influence engagement in collaborative practice: how 8 health professionals became advocates.

Objective: To generate hypotheses regarding factors that might influence engagement in collaborative practice.

Design: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews.

Setting: Participants interviewed each other in dyads. The pairing was based upon geographical location and proximity to each other.

Participants: Eight professionals from the disciplines of medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and massage therapy.

Method: Semistructured interviews, lasting 30 to 45 minutes each, were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were read by all research team members using independent content analysis for common words, phrases, statements, or units of text for key themes. At a subsequent face-to-face meeting, the team used an iterative process of comparing and contrasting key themes until consensus was reached. The transcripts were then analyzed further for subthemes using NVivo software.

Main Findings: Initial findings suggest that some common characteristics grounded in family history, school experiences, social interactions, and professional training might influence collaborative practice choices. The narrative form of the interview broke down interpersonal and interprofessional barriers, creating a new level of trust and respect that could improve professional collaboration.

Conclusion: This study suggests that life experiences from childhood into later adulthood can and do influence professional choices.