Original ArticleThe case of veterinary interprofessional practice: From one health to a world of its own

BackgroundResearch regarding the veterinary professions' involvement in interprofessional practice and education (IPE), either with health care professionals as part of One Health, or specifically within the veterinary health care team, is sparse.PurposeTo investigate veterinary interprofessional working and learning in veterinary practices; then ultimately to make recommendations for IPE.MethodTwo case studies in typical but contrasting practices were conducted. The study consisted of three sequential and complementary weeks: 1) observing the whole team, 2) shadowing selected focus individuals from each profession and 3) interviewing focus individuals regarding teamwork. Triangulation was achieved by synthesis of emergent themes from observational field notes and interview transcripts.DiscussionFacilitators to interprofessional practices included hierarchy, trust and value, different perspectives, formal infrastructure and professionalization. Challenges included hierarchy, spatial and temporal work patterns, professional motivations, and error and blame.ConclusionThe veterinary and human health care fields face similar interprofessional challenges. Real life observations, as described here, can provide important insight relevant to the design of IPE initiatives.