Delivery of the TeamSTEPPS^® communication module to the ophthalmatology operating room team: determining perceptions,...

Interprofessional collaboration among healthcare teams has become essential to ensuring patient safety. Deficiencies in collaboration and ineffective communication among team members contribute significantly to the risk of patient harm. Communication-related issues are consistently identified as the predominant cause of medical errors across healthcare settings. The aim of the study was to implement the TeamSTEPPS^® Communication Module in the ophthalmology operating room at a university hospital in Turkey, and determine the perceptions, experiences, and opinions of the healthcare professionals regarding communication and teamwork to enhance collaboration and patient safety.

In this mixed-method study, the participants completed the TeamSTEPPS^® Teamwork Perceptions Questionnaire (T-TPQ) at three time points: immediately before the training, immediately after its conclusion, and one month post-training. Additionally, qualitative data were collected through focus group interviews conducted before the training.

A total of 31 participants participated in the study. The analysis of the T-TPQ scores revealed no statistically significant differences between the pre-test, post-test, and retention test results (p > 0.05). The interview data underwent inductive content analysis, resulting in the identification of four key themes: team cohesion, support, leadership qualities, and communication. The participants' feedback on the TeamSTEPPS^® Communication Module highlighted verifying understanding, avoiding errors, and applying lessons to improve collaboration, patient safety, and professional responsibility.

This study is significant as it represents the first implementation and evaluation of the TeamSTEPPS^® Communication Module in Turkey. These findings underscore the importance of assessing the specific educational needs of healthcare units and designing team-based training, and regular repetition of training to reinforce learning, enhance communication, and promote the delivery of safer healthcare services.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.