3. Autonomy refers to the authority of the provider to make decisions independently and carry out a plan of care. It is based on the provider’s scope of practice and individual expertise. Autonomy is not contrary to collaboration and serves as a complement to shared work. Without the ability to work independently, the provider team becomes inefficient and work becomes unmanageable.

4. Responsibility/Accountability involves being accountable for decisions made and actions taken. It includes both independent and shared elements.

Independent responsibility: each provider assumes sole responsibility for autonomous decisions and actions.

Shared responsibility: Providers participate in decision making, assume joint responsibility for agreed upon decisions, are responsible for implementing a portion of the agreed upon plan of care, and accept shared responsibility for the outcomes of that plan of care.

Providers are encouraged to exert their appropriate degree of authority. As long as a provider is acting within his/her scope of practice there is no need for another provider to feel responsible for or to supervise their actions.

Referring to the spectrum of collaboration, providers enter into shared responsibility when they consult/refer or engage in co-provision of care.