The Culture of Interprofessional Practice in Cardiac Healthcare: An Axiological Study of Radiology, Cardiac Technology, Laboratory Medicine, and Nursing Roles in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Cardiac healthcare is among the most complex clinical domains, requiring close collaboration among diverse healthcare professionals. While interprofessional practice has been widely promoted to improve quality and safety, existing research has largely focused on structural and outcome-based aspects, with limited attention to the cultural and value-based foundations that shape collaboration in everyday practice.

Aim: This study aims to explore the culture of interprofessional practice in cardiac healthcare through an axiological lens, examining how professional values influence collaboration among nursing, radiology, cardiac technology, and laboratory medicine professionals in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A conceptual and analytical approach was adopted, drawing on established literature in interprofessional practice, healthcare ethics, organizational culture, and axiology. The study synthesizes international and regional evidence to examine shared and discipline-specific values, professional identities, and cultural dynamics shaping interprofessional collaboration within cardiac care settings.

Results: The analysis indicates that interprofessional practice in cardiac healthcare is fundamentally value-driven. Shared values such as patient-centeredness, safety, and accountability form the ethical foundation of collaboration, while discipline-specific values—holistic care in nursing, diagnostic accuracy in radiology, technical precision in cardiac technology, and analytical rigor in laboratory medicine—shape professional identity and interaction. Hierarchical structures, communication patterns, and organizational culture were identified as key mediators influencing value recognition and collaborative effectiveness.

Conclusion: An axiological perspective provides critical insight into the cultural and ethical dimensions of interprofessional practice in cardiac healthcare. Aligning professional values with organizational culture and national healthcare priorities is essential for strengthening collaborative practice in Saudi cardiac care settings. Integrating value-based frameworks into leadership, education, and policy initiatives may enhance interprofessional collaboration and contribute to improved quality and ethical integrity of cardiac healthcare.