Common Principles for Interprofessional Care
The common principles for interprofessional care presented here were reached through consensus, several years ago, by an ad-hoc working group of representatives from over fifteen regulatory colleges. The working group was chaired by the Ontario College of Pharmacists and included the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons and the College of Nurses of Ontario.
The group was brought together following the Ontario government’s passing of Bill 179, the Regulated Health Professions Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009. The legislation expanded the scopes of practice of several regulated health professions, including our own, and required health colleges to work together to develop common standards of knowledge, skill, and judgment in areas where professions may provide the same or similar services.
These principles guide our College and others as we development resources to support interprofessional collaboration. You may also find them of value as you enhance your own collaborative relationships.
Principles:
- Professional relationships, based on trust and respect, exist between patients and health professionals.
- Patients are partners in their care.
- Health professionals are accountable for practicing within their scopes of practice and in accordance with their knowledge, skill, and judgment.
- Health professionals obtain consent prior to providing care.
- Health professionals maintain patient confidentiality and privacy in the provision of care.
- Health professionals are responsible for their own continuing professional development and for interprofessional development.
- Health professionals understand and respect each other’s role and expertise and work together in the best interests of the patient.
- Health professionals communicate with other health providers where appropriate, communication being central to good patient care.