Perceived level of teamwork as reported by registered nurses: a cross-sectional study.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Research
• Organizational Behavior

Background:

• Nursing teamwork is vital for safe, high-quality care but is under-researched in Central and Eastern Europe.
• This study addresses a gap by evaluating nursing teamwork in Slovak public hospitals.
• Understanding team dynamics is key to implementing context-specific improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore registered nurses' (RNs) perceptions of teamwork in Slovak public hospitals.
• To identify factors influencing RNs' perceptions of teamwork.
• To address a research gap in the Central and Eastern European healthcare context.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 346 RNs from four Slovak hospitals.
• Data collected using the Nursing Teamwork Survey (NTS) between April 2022 and February 2023.
• Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were employed.

Main Results:

• RNs reported moderate levels of teamwork during their shifts.
• Teamwork perception was significantly influenced by unit type, overtime hours, and intent to leave.
• Teamwork perceptions correlated significantly with job satisfaction and patient safety.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing nursing teamwork is crucial in the Slovak healthcare setting.
• Addressing factors like unit type, overtime, and retention is important for improving teamwork.
• Targeted interventions can foster a better teamwork environment, boosting job satisfaction and patient safety.