Interprofessional Perceptions and Collaboration Between Medicine and Dentistry in Croatia: A Qualitative Study of Faculty and Student Perspectives.

Background/

Objectives

Collaboration between medical and dental professionals is essential for comprehensive, patient-centred healthcare, yet the two fields often remain separate in education and practice. This study explored attitudes, experiences, and perceptions of interprofessional relationships among medical and dental faculty and students at a Croatian university.

Methods

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted. Thirty-nine participants, including faculty members and students from medicine and dentistry, were interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to interprofessional perceptions and collaboration.

Results

Participants generally reported mutual respect, although their accounts revealed subtle hierarchies, persistent stereotypes, and implicit biases. Overt animosity was rare, often limited to humour, though instances of disrespect and status differentiation were described. Educational collaboration was minimal, with siloed curricula and few structured initiatives, while clinical collaboration was described as largely case-dependent and centred on referral rather than coordinated care. Personal exposure to the other profession mitigated some biases, suggesting that social proximity influences professional perceptions.

Conclusions

Despite overall respect, participants identified structural, cultural, and educational factors that limited opportunities for interprofessional engagement within the studied setting. The findings suggest that creating opportunities for structured interprofessional learning and collaborative clinical practice may strengthen professional understanding, support more integrated models of care, and ultimately contribute to improved patient-centred healthcare.