Interprofessional Working in NHS Flashcards

What is the role of 'peer supervision' in interprofessional practice?

Answer: A structured process for professionals to reflect on and improve practice with support from peers — enhancing learning, wellbeing, and professional development across disciplines

Peer supervision — particularly interprofessional peer supervision — provides a space for professionals to reflect on challenging cases, share learning across disciplines, and support each other's wellbeing.

What is 'appreciative inquiry' and how is it used in NHS team development?

Answer: An approach to team development that focuses on strengths, successes, and what is working well to build on positive practice — rather than only problem-focused analysis

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a strengths-based, positive approach to organisational development. In NHS teams, it focuses on identifying what works well and using this as a foundation for improvement, building morale and engagement.

What does the 'NHS Constitution' require regarding patient involvement in NHS services?

Answer: NHS organisations must involve patients in planning, development, and decisions about services — and provide information to support shared decision-making in individual care

The NHS Constitution establishes that patients have a right to be involved in planning and delivery of services and to make informed decisions about their own care, supported by clear, accessible information.

How does 'clinical governance' support interprofessional working in the NHS?

Answer: By creating systems for accountability, quality improvement, risk management, and learning from errors that require all clinical professions to participate together

Clinical governance frameworks (incident reporting, audit, risk management, CPD) require active participation from all clinical professions, creating shared accountability for quality and safety across the multidisciplinary team.

What is 'social learning theory' and how does it apply to interprofessional learning?

Answer: Bandura's theory that learning occurs through observation and social interaction — in interprofessional settings, professionals learn by observing and working alongside each other

Social learning theory (Bandura) explains why interprofessional working environments are powerful learning spaces — professionals learn attitudes, skills, and behaviours by observing and working alongside colleagues from other disciplines.

What is the NHS RESPECT form and how does it promote interprofessional communication?

Answer: Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment — a standardised form communicating a patient's treatment escalation preferences across all care settings and professional groups

The ReSPECT form captures a person's care and treatment wishes in emergencies, shared across all healthcare settings and professions. It reduces variation in emergency decisions and ensures all staff understand and respect patient preferences.