Communication and access to information in assessing the quality of multiprofessional care of patients

To assess the quality of a multiprofessional healthcare model for in-hospital patients by means of two performance indicators (communication and knowledge about the case).

A cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge that professionals had about the clinical information of patients and the use of communication strategies by the team. Healthcare professionals were interviewed during their work period. Seven occupational categories were interviewed. A total of 199 medical charts were randomly selected for interviews, and 312 professionals of different categories were interviewed. The sample comprised mostly nurses and physical therapists in the charts that were interviewed.

There were no statistically significant differences between the expected performing model group and the under-performing model group for sex, location and job. In the under-performing model group, a larger number of professionals correlated with less knowledge. Communication was improved when nurses had the relevant information about interdisciplinary care (97.4%), appropriate use of the Plan of Care form (97.0%), and formalized discussions with physicians (88.2%). In the expected performing model group, it was observed that the higher the number of healthcare professionals involved, the higher the communication levels.

This model of care based on case knowledge and multiprofessional team communication performance indices allowed to assess quality of care. This assessment is measurable and there is the possibility of establishing the quality of care delivered.