Professional stereotypes in interprofessional health care teams collaborating in long-term care facilities

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the combined effects of healthcare professionals' hetero-stereotypes, auto-stereotypes and the content of stereotypes, as well as their interactions, on the perception of stereotypes about a profession, above and beyond sociodemographic characteristics. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of physicians, nurses, dieticians and social workers working in 59 geriatric facilities. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire. Findings – Competence had the most significant role in contributing to professional stereotypes, followed by warmth, while being a team player had the least impact (estimate = 0.01, p = 0.01; estimate = 0.29, p < 0.001; estimate = 0.19, p < 0.001). Hetero-stereotypes notably influenced perceived stereotypes (F[3, 2166] = 35.67, p < 0.0001). Auto-stereotypes also impacted perceived stereotypes, but this effect became non-significant when controlling for ethnicity and tenure. Hetero- and auto-stereotypes interacted significantly to affect perceived stereotypes (estimate = 0.38, p < 0.001). Practical implications – Healthcare educators must already nurture dual identities in the early stages of students' professional identity formation by providing both nonprofessional and interprofessional education throughout their programs. Originality/value – Existing models, typically encompass only competence/agency and warmth/communicative ability dimensions, neglecting a crucial aspect – being a team player. This additional dimension gauges a professional's ability to coordinate and lead teamwork within a specific profession. There is evidence of professional stereotypes among employed professional in health care. There is a combined impact of hetero-stereotypes (perceptions of other professions) and auto-stereotypes (internalized perceptions of one's own profession) on interprofessional interactions.