Evaluating Interdisciplinary Collaboration of Nursing Students and Health Care Practitioners in Community Health Nursing: Basis for Policy and Program Enhancement

Abstract

In community health nursing, interdisciplinary collaboration is essential because it improves communication, teamwork, and the provision of comprehensive care. However, issues such as inadequate integration of interprofessional education, institutional limitations, and a lack of formalized platforms for collaboration persist, especially in community-based settings. As a foundation for improving policies and programs, this study sought to assess the extent of multidisciplinary collaboration between nursing students and healthcare professionals and to investigate its association with perceived efficacy in achieving community health goals. A quantitative, descriptive, and correlational research design was used. Purposive sampling was used to gather information from nursing students assigned to a barangay health clinic in Tagum City. Interprofessional collaboration and perceived efficacy were measured using standardized tools, specifically the Community Care Competency Scale (CCCS) and the Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale (AITCS). To examine the data and identify correlations between variables, statistical techniques such as the mean and Pearson correlation were used. The findings showed a very high degree of interdisciplinary interaction, coordination, and partnership. In a similar vein, participants showed a high degree of perceived efficacy in achieving community health objectives. Additionally, the results showed a positive correlation between perceived efficacy and interdisciplinary collaboration, indicating that more effective collaboration is associated with greater perceived efficacy in community health outcomes. To improve healthcare delivery in community settings, our findings highlight the need to strengthen collaborative behaviors through structured programs, policy support, communication training, and curriculum.