Dramatic reforms in the NHS and the social services in the 1980s and 1990s have highlighted the need for close co-operation between professional groups. Doctors, nurses and social workers are increasingly taking roles as managers with financial responsibility for services. The varying backgrounds of education and socialisation of managers and different professional groups creates barriers to mutual understanding and to effective and efficient care. This book sets out to examine inter-professional work looking at theories and frameworks and focusing on the important areas where systems fail because of lack of collaboration. This text will contribute to the knowledge of inter-professional relationships and can be used as a basic guide to the issues involved, the services that require a multidisciplinary approach, and the strategies for working together.
