An intervention to improve interprofessional collaboration and communications: a comparative qualitative study.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• Interprofessional Education

Background:

• Policymakers advocate for interprofessional communication and collaboration to enhance patient safety and manage complex care.
• Effective teamwork is crucial in modern healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and impact of an interprofessional communication and collaboration intervention in Canadian general internal medicine hospital wards.
• To identify barriers to effective interprofessional collaboration.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing ethnographic observations (90 hours), interviews, and documentary analysis.
• Thematic analysis of transcribed fieldnotes and interviews from intervention and comparison wards.

Main Results:

• The intervention did not significantly improve communication or collaboration between health professionals.
• Key barriers included minimal role-modeling by senior staff, professional resistance, and the demanding clinical environment.
• Lack of perceived benefit and sustained support undermined adoption of the communication strategy.

Conclusions:

• Simple communication interventions require strong, consistent leadership and management support for successful implementation.
• Addressing professional resistance and the fast-paced nature of healthcare is essential for fostering interprofessional collaboration.
• Habit and insufficient perceived benefits impede the adoption of beneficial communication practices in healthcare.