Interdisciplinary Communication and Collaboration Among Physicians, Nurses, and Unlicensed Assistive Personnel.

Purpose Historically, health care has primarily focused on physician, nurse, and allied healthcare provider triads. Using a phenomenological approach, this study explores the potential for hospital-based interdisciplinary care provided by physicians, nurses, and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs)...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Nursing Scholarship Vol. 47; no. 3; pp. 275 - 285
Main Authors: Lancaster, Gwendolyn, Kolakowsky-Hayner, Stephanie, Kovacich, Joann, Greer-Williams, Nancy
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell May2015
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=103793828&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 103793828
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        15276546
        6QP
      jtl: Journal of Nursing Scholarship
      issn: 15276546
      maglogo: Y
    pubinfo:
      dt: May2015
      vid: 47
      iid: 3
      pid: 480
      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
    artinfo:
      ui:
        103793828
        102288509
        102288509
        10.1111/jnu.12130
        NLM25801466
        103793828
      ppf: 275
      ppct: 10
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: Interdisciplinary Communication and Collaboration Among Physicians, Nurses, and Unlicensed Assistive Personnel.
      aug:
        au:
          Lancaster, Gwendolyn
          Kolakowsky-Hayner, Stephanie
          Kovacich, Joann
          Greer-Williams, Nancy
        affil: Assistant Nursing Care Coordinator, Omicron Delta, Mount Sinai St. Luke's Hospital
      sug:
        subj:
          Communication
          Nurse-Physician Relations
          Health Personnel, Unlicensed
          Collaboration
          Human
          Purposive Sample
          Phenomenological Research
          Nonprobability Sample
          Convenience Sample
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Conceptual Framework
          Hospitals New York
          New York
          Interview Guides
          Male
          Female
          Adult
          Sample Size Determination
          Role
          Teamwork
          World Wide Web
          Information Resources
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Purpose Historically, health care has primarily focused on physician, nurse, and allied healthcare provider triads. Using a phenomenological approach, this study explores the potential for hospital-based interdisciplinary care provided by physicians, nurses, and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs). Design This phenomenological study used a purposive nonprobability, criterion-based, convenience sample from a metropolitan hospital. Theoretical Foundation Malhotra's (1981) Schutzian lifeworld phenomenological orchestra study provided the theoretical basis for the conductorless orchestra model, which guided this study. In an orchestra, each member sees and hears the musical score from a different vantage point or perspective and has a different stock of knowledge or talent; however, members work together to produce a cohesive performance. Like the orchestra, individual talents and perspectives of physicians, nurses, and UAPs can be collaboratively blended to create a symphony: enhanced patient-centered care. Methods Qualitative semistructured face-to-face, individual interviews were carefully transcribed and coded with the aid of NVivo 9, a qualitative data analysis software program, to discover emergent patterns and themes. Findings The study suggests that most of the time physicians, nurses, and UAPs operate as separate healthcare providers who barely speak to each other. Physicians see themselves as the primary patient care decision makers. Many physicians acknowledge the importance of nurses' knowledge and expertise. On the other hand, the study indicates a hierarchical, subservient relationship among nurses and UAPs. Physicians and nurses tend to work together or consult each other at times, but UAPs are rarely included in any type of meaningful patient discussion. Conclusions Since physicians, nurses, and UAPs each provide portions of patient care, coordination of the various treatments and interventions provided is critical to prevent errors and fragmentation of care. Tensions, misunderstandings, and conflicts caused by differences of opinions and interests can interfere with effective interdisciplinary communications and collaboration. Improving patient safety in the hospital requires addressing the current hierarchical professional structure inherent in healthcare delivery. A hospital patient care model based on the conductorless orchestra model would mitigate hierarchy; recognize physician, nurse, and UAP contributions to care; promote improved communication and collaboration; and enhance patient safety. Clinical Relevance Study results provide additional information supporting interdisciplinary communication and collaboration education and training among physicians, nurses, and UAPs to support positive patient care outcomes.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N