CHAPTER 1INTRODUCTION1.1 Background of the StudyThe Malaysian healthcare sector has been constantly vigilant about the healthcare system. The increase in the number of medical and nursing schools has shown that Malaysia is serious about providing quality care. The healthcare system faces challenges and opportunities arising from a rapidly evolving operating environment, including increasing expectations on the quality of healthcare. In the climate where efficiency, cost-effectiveness and quality improvement are at stake, interprofessional collaboration deserves re-examination as it is the key to the safe, high-quality, accessible and patient-centered care desired by all . Nurses and doctors are engaged in highly interdependent tasks. They share a common goal of maximizing the health and comfort of their patients (Pike, McHugh & Canney, 1993). Therefore their collaboration is essential to achieve quality care. The issue of collaboration between nurses and doctors has been widely studied (Martin et al, 2005; Varizani et al, 2005; Reader et al, 2007, Reeves & Lewin, 2004; Cowan et al, 2006; The traditional doctor-nurse relationship was not created on a collaborative platform. The traditional platforms of behavior have been that of doctor dominance and nurse deference, classically defined as “the doctor-nurse game” (Varizanni et al, 2005). nurses experience a high level of verbal abuse from doctors (Joubert, Du Rand, vanWyk, 2005). Furthermore, according to Deltsidou, Mallidou and Katostaras (2000), doctors did not consider nurses equivalent members of the healthcare team, but downgraded the their role to secondary and subordinate role. However, this difference is an attribute... the center of the card... and the existence of mutual trust, respect and communication. The details of each aspect of the determinants will be further described in the review of literature. In conclusion, we can see that the collaborative relationship is a very good relationship. It is based on mutual trust, respect and the willingness of nurses and doctors to cooperate with each other. It also provides the opportunity for both nurses and doctors to provide their views on the issues and an adequate audience will be ensured. The care plan is designed by the doctor together with the nurse. Furthermore, it has been shown to have positive effects on patient outcomes, organizational costs, the job satisfaction of nurses and doctors and the personal growth of collaborators. Despite its benefits, ongoing support from management is identified as the key to successful interprofessional collaboration (Townsend, 1993).