Strengthening Interprofessional Collaboration in Primary Care for People with Acquired Brain Injury: A Participatory Approach within the Brilliant Study

Background: Primary rehabilitation care for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) in the Netherlands is highly variable, with room for improvement in consistency and collaboration. In response, a national guidance was published in 2023 to support allied health professionals -occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech therapists- in delivering better care in the primary setting.

 

Approach: Within the four-year ‘Brilliant Study’, this guidance is being implemented and evaluated using a participatory action research (PAR) approach. One of the key themes in the guidance is interprofessional collaboration and delivering the right care in the right place. This presentation describes the development and evaluation of a series of workshops aimed at strengthening collaboration between allied health professionals in primary care.

The workshops were co-designed based on client perspectives gathered through interviews in an earlier phase of the study. These interviews provided insights into experiences with interprofessional collaboration and care delivery.

 

The first round of workshops included structured knowledge sharing and a World Café format to facilitate open dialogue. Plenary discussions followed to reflect on shared experiences and identify areas for improvement.

The second round of workshops builds on the outcomes of the first, with a deeper focus on mutual understanding, interprofessional goal setting, and the importance of knowing each other’s roles and expertise. All workshops were developed and conducted in close collaboration with allied health professionals and people with lived experience, and tailored to the specific needs and context of three Dutch regions.

 

Results: Preliminary analysis of the first round of workshops shows that successful interprofessional collaboration relies on trust, clear communication, role clarity, and shared goals. Participants emphasized the value of informal contact and digital tools such as Siilo to support ongoing communication and knowledge exchange. The regional, tailor-made approach was appreciated for its relevance and applicability to local practice. The second round is currently underway; results will be available at the time of the conference.

 

Implications: The participatory development and regional implementation of interprofessional workshops contribute to strengthening collaboration in primary care for people with ABI. The PAR approach ensures that the perspectives of both professionals and people with lived experience are embedded in the design and evaluation of the intervention. This process not only supports the implementation of national guidance but also generates transferable insights for integrated care models in other contexts. The findings highlight the importance of co-design, regional adaptation, and stakeholder engagement in improving community-based rehabilitation and building a resilient, collaborative allied health workforce.