ABSTRACT
Introduction: This study compared perceptions of interprofessional collaboration and recognition of work between clinic/small hospital staff and those at regional core hospitals.Methods: An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was administered to the staff at 4 clinics/small hospital and those at 3 regional core hospitals responsible for regional medical care. The following items were compared between the 2 groups: Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration (AITCS) Japanese version, Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) Japanese version, workplace satisfaction, and relationship with neighboring facilities.Results: The subjects were 74 staff members at clinics and small hospital and 576 staff members at regional core hospitals; their average ages were 41.9 years and 40.6 years, respectively. Compared to staff at regional core hospitals, those at the clinics and small hospitals had significantly higher AITCS scores, RIPLS scores, and workplace satisfaction, and they also considered their institutions to have better relationship with neighboring facilities.Conclusion: The staff of clinics and small hospital were more aware of interprofessional collaboration than hospital staff, and were more satisfied with their workplaces. Understanding the underlying organizational differences may facilitate vertical integration in community-based integrated care systems.