Interprofessional and healthcare systems practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
Interprofessional and healthcare systems practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
This domain tests how you work across teams and navigate Aotearoa New Zealand’s health and accident compensation systems. Expect questions on Te Whatu Ora, ACC, primary health organisations, NGOs, referral pathways, handover and team roles.
Core concepts
- Te Whatu Ora provides public hospital and community services; primary care and NGOs deliver much community rehabilitation.
- ACC funds treatment and rehabilitation for covered injuries; clinicians must understand claim thresholds, forms and the distinction between treatment and compensation.
- Use structured handover such as ISBAR and clarify roles, consent and confidentiality across teams.
- Refer according to scope, urgency and local pathways; do not assume another service has received the referral.
- Document interprofessional communication and patient involvement in decisions.
Worked example
A patient with a covered sporting knee injury needs physiotherapy and possibly orthopaedic review. You confirm the ACC claim, provide treatment within scope, and refer appropriately if instability persists. You send an ISBAR handover to the general practice team. Reasoning: effective care depends on accurate funding and referral pathways, not just clinical skill.
Traps
- Assuming ACC covers all rehabilitation without assessment.
- Sending referrals without checking receipt or urgency.
- Poor handover that omits allergies, risks or goals.
- Working outside your role in a team.