An Exploration of the Importance of Interprofessional Collaboration within Veterinary Practice and the Subsequent Need for Interprofessional Education

This chapter explores the concept of interprofessional collaboration within veterinary contexts, where multiple groups work together for a common goal. Veterinary groups, therefore, primarily include veterinarians and veterinary nurses/technicians, but also others such as receptionists, care assistants and farriers. Through the lens of Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), the authors explore how veterinary interprofessional collaboration can benefit multiple stakeholders including patients, clients, the healthcare team and a veterinary practice. However, for these benefits to be realised, they will argue that interprofessional education (IPE) at the undergraduate and postgraduate stages should be incorporated in both an evidence-based and practical manner. Attention is given to each of the three aspects within the definition of IPE: learning with, from and about each other. Experiences from the Royal Veterinary College’s IPE teaching will be shared, and readers are encouraged to consider if and how IPE could be implemented in their own context, through formal or informal learning opportunities.