Interprofessional collaboration experience among healthcare professionals providing emergency obstetric and neonatal care in Rwanda. A qualitative descriptive case study

Introduction

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is essential in all health care services delivery including maternity care, particularly in emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC). Ideally, the obstetric team would work together in dynamic and complex situations to deliver quality care and achieve optimal patient outcomes. The current study explored IPC experience among healthcare providers working in maternity service and providing EmONC in Rwanda. The purpose was to understand from clinicians’ perspectives the benefits and barriers to achieving effective collaboration while managing EmONC.

Method

A qualitative descriptive case study was conducted in five district hospitals in the Northern province of Rwanda. The study involved 25 healthcare professionals, including nurses, midwives, medical doctors, and non-physician anesthetists working in maternity units from selected district hospitals.

Findings

Participants highlighted several benefits of effective IPC, such as reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, reducing stress, and better-quality service delivery in general. However, participants expressed challenges to successful IPC related to power relation issues affecting communication and other IPC competencies. Also, a stressful work environment characterized by a shortage of staff and lack of necessary resources was identified as a barrier to effective IPC.

Conclusion

and recommendations: IPC is an important aspect to consider in delivering quality EmONC since failure in effective IPC can lead to compromised patients’ outcomes and increased stress among healthcare providers. Therefore, it is imperative that policymakers, health professional educators, and clinicians identify strategies to improve interprofessional working relationships and contribute to quality obstetric and neonatal care in order to achieve the best maternal and neonatal-related sustainable development goals in Rwanda.