29. Types of Collaborative Practices

Collaboration may occur in team-based care models, but collaboration is also necessary for any consultative relationship between physician and midwife. For example, collaborative partnership is necessary in “parallel” practices as well as in interdisciplinary health care teams. It is important to note that depending on the practice model, effective collaboration may need to exist around the business and financial decision-making, in addition to patient care. Below are some examples (T. King):

  1. If midwife and physician are employed by same organization: Collaboration limited to clinical issues, practice activities. Financial decisions are negotiated between individual clinician and parent organization.
  2. If midwife is employed by a physician: Collaborative relationship includes clinical issues and practice activities.
  3. If a midwife/midwifery group employs the physician or has consulting financial arrangement: Collaborative relationship includes clinical issues, practice activities and financial decisions.
  4. If midwife and physician are in a joint practice, they are financial and clinical partners.