Enhancing integrated care: a review of collaborative management strategies in nursing, pharmaceutical, paramedic, and laboratory services

Integrated care has emerged as a critical approach for enhancing patient outcomes, improving healthcare efficiency, and fostering a patient-centered care environment. This review article explores collaborative management strategies across four key healthcare departments: nursing, pharmaceutical, paramedic, and laboratory services. By analyzing interdisciplinary team frameworks, communication protocols, workflow integration, and quality improvement initiatives, we highlight the positive impacts of integrated care on clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Key findings reveal that collaborative management fosters better continuity of care, reduces redundancy, and enhances timely medical responses, ultimately supporting healthcare systems in addressing complex patient needs. However, challenges such as systemic barriers, cultural differences, and information-sharing constraints hinder full implementation. This review proposes solutions to these challenges and outlines recommendations for future research and policy to strengthen integrated care models. The findings underscore the value of interdepartmental collaboration as a means to optimize patient-centered care and healthcare sustainability.