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Improving nursing unit teamwork
Beatrice J Kalisch1, Suzanne M Begeny
1School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. bkalisch@umich.edu
The Journal of Nursing Administration
|December 14, 2005
Summary
Poor nursing teamwork hinders patient care and unit operations. Structural barriers like large teams and instability impede collaboration, but strategies exist to improve nursing teamwork.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Management
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- Teamwork is crucial for effective nursing care delivery and efficient unit operations.
- Several inherent structural factors within patient care units create significant barriers to achieving optimal nursing teamwork.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and discuss the key structural barriers that impede teamwork among nursing staff.
- To explore strategies for overcoming these identified obstacles to foster better teamwork in nursing units.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of existing literature and observational data on nursing unit structures.
- Identification of common themes related to teamwork challenges in healthcare settings.
Main Results:
- Key barriers include large team size, lack of team familiarity, workforce and assignment instability, absence of a shared purpose, and a restrictive physical environment.
- These factors collectively inhibit the development and maintenance of effective nursing teamwork.
Conclusions:
- Addressing structural impediments is essential for enhancing nursing teamwork.
- Implementing targeted strategies can mitigate barriers and improve care delivery and unit functioning.