What is IPW?

IPW can be defined as a group of professionals from different fields that work, learn and communicate together as one unit. While working together each member will share their own skill’s and knowledge to provide the most effective integrated care. The need for IPW has been recognized since 1942 and throughout the years has been debated on several occasions due to its growing demand. In previous years professionals used to work alongside each other to provide care for a patient rather than working together, however recently the bid for healthcare professionals to work inter-professionally has increased and recent changes to policies have allowed for significant progress to be made to improve its effectiveness. To achieve this, organizations must have procedures and structures in place to encourage professionals to work together. The aim of any health professionals is to provide the highest quality of caregiving them the opportunity to have the best quality of life, for this to be successful professionals must work collectively with the services users, allowing them to develop new skills and abilities to have the independence to manage and make their own choices regarding their health. All care provided should be person-centered and adapted to suit the individuals’ needs ensuring that dignity, respect, and compassion are upheld at all times.