Exploring interdisciplinary teamwork to support effective ward rounds.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Teamwork Dynamics
• Clinical Communication

Background:

• Collaborative ward rounds are essential for effective patient care.
• Shared understanding among health professionals is key to successful teamwork.
• Existing research highlights the importance of interprofessional collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore health professionals' shared understanding of teamwork supporting collaborative ward rounds.
• To identify enablers and challenges influencing teamwork during ward rounds.
• To understand clinicians' experiences of positive teamwork in a hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• A purpose-designed survey was administered to medical officers, nurses, and allied health professionals in acute medical and rehabilitation wards.
• Descriptive and thematic analyses were applied to data on teamwork enablers, challenges, and positive experiences.
• The study utilized a framework of effective teamwork dimensions for deductive coding.

Main Results:

• Seventy-seven clinicians participated, with findings aligning with teamwork dimensions.
• Effective communication, shared patient goals, and understanding of colleagues' roles were identified as key enablers.
• Challenges included ineffective communication, personality conflicts, role ambiguity, organizational structure, time constraints, and uncoordinated planning.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative teamwork forms the foundation for beneficial ward rounds.
• Shared understanding of roles, expectations, and communication are supported by teamwork dimensions.
• Prioritizing effective collaboration over specific rounding processes enhances team adaptability and resilience.