Development of an Interprofessional Health Care Team Shared-Education Program to Promote Collaboration and Teamwork...

To strengthen cooperation, teamwork, and interprofessional relationships among anesthesia care team members and other key stakeholders involved in the operative experience through a shared education program that fosters professional growth, engagement, and camaraderie.

An interdisciplinary task force developed and implemented quarterly educational sessions for the anesthesia care team, progressively expanding participation to include the preadmissions clinic (2023) and Preoperative and PACU staff (2024). These sessions featured journal presentations and discussions in informal, inclusive settings to promote scholarship, engagement, and relationship building.

Organized by an academic medical center's Anesthesia Care Team Optimization Committee, this initiative engaged certified registered nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists, student nurse anesthetists, anesthesiology residents, and other perioperative staff. The sessions were held after work at local venues and emphasized shared learning experiences and team cohesion across disciplines. Topics were selected by participants from scholarly journal articles, allowing participants to apply newly acquired knowledge to real-world scenarios.

In spring 2025, a Qualtrics survey was distributed to 2023 to 2024 Anesthesia Steering Committee meeting attendees. Of 100 invited, 62 responded, primarily certified registered nurse anesthetists (45%) and student nurse anesthetists (24%). Most had over 10 years of experience. While 62% attended 0 to 2 meetings, respondents reported a strong positive impact: 88% noted improved team culture and synergy, 80% felt more engaged, and 96% would recommend Anesthesia Steering Committee meetings. Among those responding to practice-related items, 57% reported changes, including adoption of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols, improved handoffs, expanded use of noninvasive monitoring, and increased interdisciplinary communication. A common barrier was difficulty hearing in the meeting setting.

The shared education program has demonstrated its value in fostering teamwork, enhancing professional development, and promoting a culture of continuous learning and engagement across all departments involved in the operative experience. This model provides a scalable framework for other health care teams aiming to improve interprofessional collaboration and patient outcomes.