EXPLORING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS REGARDING SOCIAL GLUE IN PAKISTAN:AN INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the presence of “social glue” conceptualized as the mutual values, trust and cooperation holding healthcare teams together facilitating cohesion and teamwork among Allied Health Professionals (AHP’s) in Pakistan. The study was conducted to identify the crises AHP’s facing in Pakistan. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used and in-depth semi-structured interviews with (N=12) practicing within government health organizations were conducted to obtain insight into their personal experiences till the point of saturation. The four main themes that emerged from the analysis were (i) Professional Challenges and Growth (ii) Client Relationships and Ethical Practice (iii) Personal Fulfillment and Motivation (iv) Future Aspirations. Key challenges such as undefined professional roles, stigma in society and a lack of interdepartmental coordination were identified by participants, along with the significance of respect for one another, teamwork and common goals in transcending these challenges. The findings underscore the pivotal role played by social glue in boosting job satisfaction, improving teamwork and enhancing patient outcomes, especially in resource-limited environments. The study highlights the imperative for system changes, including uniform training programs, interdisciplinary teamwork initiatives and more deliberate recognition of AHP’s roles, to enhance social cohesion among healthcare teams. This study adds to the increasing body of literature on inter-professional collaboration and offers practical recommendations for healthcare organizations and policymakers. This study provides a rich understanding of how trust, shared values, and collaboration can revolutionize healthcare delivery in difficult settings.

Keywords: social glue, allied health professionals, social identity