The highlight of the Pharmacy in Practice conference last year was Professor Zubin Austin’s highly anticipated lecture. Delegates were intrigued by the depth of his insights and his lively, entertaining presentation.
Professor Austin’s lecture, titled: “There Is No ‘I’ in Team: The Psychology of Interprofessional Collaboration,” brought together years of research and practice on the intricacies of working within multidisciplinary teams.
Many assume that collaboration among healthcare professionals happens naturally, but Zubin demonstrated, with evidence from Canada, just how challenging true collaboration can be.
Zubin used his research to reveal the complex dynamics between healthcare professionals, particularly pharmacists and physicians. His work, grounded in psychology and social identity theory, highlighted that while healthcare teams share common goals, communication barriers, differing mental models of trust, and personal biases can hinder effective teamwork. Drawing on years of research, Austin emphasised that these challenges don’t resolve themselves but require deliberate effort and awareness.
One of the key takeaways was Austin’s exploration of the concept of “teamness,” which includes shared goals, investment in outcomes, and commitment to the collaborative process.
For pharmacists, this also means understanding the personal and psychological factors that contribute to team functioning, such as trust, responsibility, and communication. Austin’s presentation stressed the importance of learning about oneself as the first step toward improving collaboration.
The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. One participant remarked,
“What a brilliant day yesterday at the Pharmacy in Practice Conference! The highlight was Professor Zubin Austin, who brought together excellent research on working in multidisciplinary teams—something we often assume can magically happen. But Zubin demonstrated, through Canadian evidence, some of the challenges in achieving this. Also, he had the most entertaining and engaging presentation!”
The event’s success was also largely due to the host and organising team at PIP, whose efforts helped make the conference feel like a unified gathering of the pharmacy profession. The PIP team brought together a diverse audience, ranging from CEOs and Directors to frontline staff from organisations such as the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA), NHS, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), National Pharmacy Association (NPA), Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) as well as many coal face pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Attendees appreciated the welcoming and inclusive approach on the day, with one noting,
“The whole day really was fabulous. We were all made to feel very welcome. I had a great day and look forward to next year.”
The event facilitated knowledge exchange and fostered a sense of community, bridging the gaps between different levels of the profession.
Professor Austin’s talk was a particular highlight, underscoring the importance of team trust and communication. His ability to simplify complex psychological theories and apply them to real-world challenges in healthcare made his presentation both engaging and thought-provoking. Attendees walked away with a renewed understanding of how to enhance interprofessional collaboration and a sense of optimism about the future of teamwork in healthcare.
The conference set a high standard for next year, with many already looking forward to what promises to be another exciting and informative event. As one participant summed it up,
“Zubin was incredible—well done for sourcing such a star! And Johnathan did a fantastic job hosting. It truly felt like one profession coming together, and I can’t wait for next year’s event.”
Last year’s Pharmacy in Practice Conference wasn’t just a chance to learn—it was a reminder of the power of collaboration and the importance of coming together to advance the profession for the benefit of patients. Professor Austin’s insights into teamwork will resonate with attendees long after the conference as they strive to apply these lessons in their everyday practice.
For further reading on effective teamwork in healthcare, Austin referenced the WHO Safety Curriculum and Teamwork in Healthcare Canada as valuable resources for those interested in learning more about this vital aspect of healthcare practice.
To access all of Professor Austin’s work, click here.