Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of Interprofessional Collaboration in Noncommunicable Disease Management in Palembang City, Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

Noncommunicable diseases are a major public health challenge globally, demanding integrated and sustainable management strategies. Interprofessional collaboration involving various healthcare professionals is essential in addressing the complex needs of noncommunicable disease management. However, evaluations of noncommunicable disease services have predominantly focused on case outcomes, with limited attention to how the collaborative process itself is implemented and experienced by healthcare teams. Therefore, understanding healthcare professionals’ perceptions of interprofessional collaboration is crucial to addressing the complex needs. This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals’ perceptions of interprofessional collaboration in noncommunicable disease management at the community health centers. A descriptive phenomenological design was employed, grounded in a constructivist paradigm. The study was conducted in community health centers in Palembang City, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia, with 20 purposively selected participants comprising nurses, doctors, midwives, and public health workers. Data were collected between June, 02 and August, 09 2025 through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Audio-recorded sessions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Four themes emerged: (1) Foundations of effective interprofessional collaboration in NCD management, (2) Collaboration with other professions and Stakeholders, (3) Goals of interprofessional collaboration in NCD management, and (4) Perceived benefits of interprofessional collaboration in NCD management. Findings indicate that effective interprofessional collaboration extends beyond intra-team dynamics to include program integration and community partnerships, resulting in improved service delivery and professional relationships. This study implies that strengthening the role of community health nurses as case coordinators can enhance interprofessional collaboration in managing noncommunicable diseases.