It is not too difficult to claim, in a cocktail party type of way, that global governance should be more virtuous, and that those who run our lives and our institutions should be decent human beings. That is the easy part, if only because it makes intuitive sense that what could possibly be useful in some settings (professional sports, for example) is not so appropriate in other settings. We accept ruthlessness in our professional athletes – indeed, to the point that it might be difficult for them to become truly exceptional without a ruthless streak. But we do not think that quite the same applies to judges, or high-ranking civil servants, let alone religious leaders. Not even our statespersons, even if we would want them to serve the national interest (whatever that may be), are expected to display quite the same amount or sort of ruthlessness. Michael Jordan and Cristiano Ronaldo may be single-minded and ruthless; the Dalai Lama or the Pope may not, and neither may Germany’s long-serving prime minister Angela Merkel.

Community and primary health care nursing is experiencing a rapid metamorphosis as our population ages and the prevalence of chronic and complex conditions increase. To meet these changing needs, our health workforce has evolved with a range of specialised disciplines now working in diverse health settings. Throughout these changes, nursing continues to be the largest global health workforce providing the most direct client care. Historically, nurses were the original transdisciplinary health care workers, providing basic physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutritional advice and all other care as required. As more detailed knowledge developed in an area of practice, specialised areas of care evolved and a variety of allied health professions emerged. Nursing itself became more specialised due to developments in clinical practice, technological advances and clients requiring more complex care. This chapter examines how professional identity and culture influence interprofessional practice, describes the behaviour and skills that facilitate effective communication, and identifies the barriers and facilitators to multidisciplinary health professionals working well together.

Community and primary health care nursing is experiencing a rapid metamorphosis as our population ages and the prevalence of chronic and complex conditions increase. To meet these changing needs, our health workforce has evolved with a range of specialised disciplines now working in diverse health settings. Throughout these changes, nursing continues to be the largest global health workforce providing the most direct client care. Historically, nurses were the original transdisciplinary health care workers, providing basic physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutritional advice and all other care as required. As more detailed knowledge developed in an area of practice, specialised areas of care evolved and a variety of allied health professions emerged. Nursing itself became more specialised due to developments in clinical practice, technological advances and clients requiring more complex care. This chapter examines how professional identity and culture influence interprofessional practice, describes the behaviour and skills that facilitate effective communication, and identifies the barriers and facilitators to multidisciplinary health professionals working well together.