A Literature Review on the Facilitators and Barriers to the Uptake of Interprofessional Collaboration in the Field of Assistive Technology within Rehabilitation Medicine

Abstract

Assistive technology (AT) enables an optimized life for persons with disability through the scaffolding of functional capabilities. However, AT provision faces challenges such as long approval processes, funding inadequacies, and difficulties integrating evidence into practice. A means to address these issues is through interprofessional collaboration (IPC), the process by which health professionals efficiently coordinate and work with each other towards a common goal to maximize limited resources. To promote its effective implementation, there is a need to know the facilitators and barriers that affect its implementation. Thus, this paper aims to review the facilitators and barriers to the uptake of IPC in the field of AT within rehabilitation medicine identified by existing literature. This literature review followed the steps outlined by The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. Articles published between January 2000 until September 2019 were retrieved from four electronic databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct). Three studies were included in the study. Facilitators identified were: (1) optimal work culture, (2) professional competence, and (3) associating with team members. Barriers to effective IPC in the field of AT were identified as: (1) presence of professional silos, (2) lack of unified language, and (3) gaps in bureaucratic support. The mechanisms and factors in implementing interprofessional collaboration identified by the World Health Organization are vital in the field of AT. However, the barriers identified above need to be addressed to promote the uptake of IPC within this specialized field.