Communication Challenges in Interprofessional Collaboration in the Healthcare Sector

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 — Raboan Research and Perspective Sharing session was held with the theme “Communication Challenges in Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) in the Healthcare Sector.” The event featured dr. Nasrun, S.H., M.Sc, an alumnus of the Master’s Program in Bioethics at UGM and currently a lecturer at the Department of Bioethics, Faculty of Medicine, Unisa Palu. The session was moderated by Ika Setyasari, S.Kep.Ns., M.N.Sc from CBMH UGM. More than 50 participants attended the event, including students, clinicians, and academics from various backgrounds.

In his presentation, dr. Nasrun emphasized that the primary challenge in implementing IPC is cross-professional communication. IPC is crucial to support the shift from a paternalistic model of healthcare delivery toward a partnership model. It aims to improve the quality of care and optimize patient-centered care, positioning patients as the central focus in clinical decision-making.

Four main communication challenges in IPC include differences in meaning, professional ego, misaligned perceptions, and territorial boundaries between healthcare workers. Misunderstandings often arise, such as the use of the word “sorry,” which can be interpreted either as an admission of fault or, conversely, as an indication of incompetence. In emergency situations, these communication challenges become even more complex, requiring strategies like shared understanding and open interprofessional dialogue.

This topic aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 3: Good Health and Well-being, which emphasizes the importance of a strong and responsive health system. It also relates to SDG No. 4: Quality Education, as effective IPC requires Interprofessional Education (IPE) to support the early development of collaborative competencies among healthcare professionals. Robust IPE programs will prepare health workers to communicate and collaborate effectively across professions.

Reporter: Ika Setyasari, S.Kep.Ns., M.N.Sc

Editor: Rafi Khairuna Wibisono, S.Kom