We Heal as One: Interprofessional Health Collaboration During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Trisha M. Bathan; Aldous N. Delos Santos; Regine G. Gealone; Aezle F. Laja; Rosejane M. Magauay; Doz M. Piodos; Riel Mari L. Ramirez; Rahya D. Ramos; Jonel M. Tamano; Gerald Felicen; Maria Julita SJ. Sibayan

Trisha M. Bathan Adventist University of the Philippines
Aldous N. Delos Santos Adventist University of the Philippines
Regine G. Gealone Adventist University of the Philippines
Aezle F. Laja Adventist University of the Philippines
Rosejane M. Magauay Adventist University of the Philippines
Doz M. Piodos Adventist University of the Philippines
Riel Mari L. Ramirez Adventist University of the Philippines
Rahya D. Ramos Adventist University of the Philippines
Jonel M. Tamano Adventist University of the Philippines
Gerald Felicen Adventist University of the Philippines
Maria Julita SJ. Sibayan Adventist University of the Philippines

Abstract

A collaborative healthcare system enabled through multi-professional and interprofessional partnerships that pave the way to improved health outcomes has been the director of the Millennium Development Goals (World Health Organization, 2016). But the occurrence of the global COVID-19 pandemic challenged the healthcare system in unprecedented ways. This study explored the essence of interprofessional collaboration among medical and paramedical healthcare professionals. A phenomenological research study through photovoice was employed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Study corpus was gathered from a total of 15 participants, including three medical technologists, three nutritionists and dieticians, three radiologic technologists, three pharmacists, two nurses, and one physician. Four themes surfaced from the responses, namely: unity in diversity, paradigm shift, parallel dilemmas, and resilient optimism.

Keywords: healthcare system, interprofessional collaboration, medical, healthcare