Enhancing collaboration and communication within nursing teams: Insights from nurses to inform health service...

Background: Quality healthcare depends on coordinated collaboration among professionals from different disciplines. In nursing teams, interpersonal relationships, mutual trust, communication, and teamwork are essential for ensuring safe and high-quality patient care. Poor communication and unresolved hierarchical dynamics may negatively affect team functioning and patient safety. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore interpersonal relationships among nurses working in nursing teams and to identify key factors influencing collaboration and communication in everyday clinical practice. Research Design: A qualitative descriptive research design was used. Study Sample: A purposive sample of 21 participants employed in nursing care at the secondary level of healthcare was included in the study. Data Collection and/or Analysis: Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. The collected data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Four themes were identified: (1) perceptions of interpersonal relationships in nursing teams, (2) communication patterns and challenges in nursing teams, (3) the impact of relationships and communication on the quality and safety of nursing care, and (4) opportunities to improve relationships and communication in nursing teams. Positive interpersonal relationships and open communication contributed to stronger team cohesion and higher quality of care. In contrast, poor communication, hierarchical differences, and interpersonal conflicts increased the risk of errors and negatively affected teamwork and patient safety. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of supportive interpersonal relationships and effective communication within nursing teams. Targeted interventions are needed to strengthen collaboration in clinical practice, including communication skills training for nurses, stronger managerial support, and the implementation of structured communication protocols tailored to nursing care settings.