Interdisciplinary team interactions: a qualitative study of perceptions of team function in simulated anaesthesia crises.
OBJECTIVE
We placed anaesthesia teams into a stressful environment in order to explore interactions between members of different professional groups and to investigate their perspectives on the impact of these interactions on team performance.


METHODS
Ten anaesthetists, 5 nurses and 5 trained anaesthetic assistants each participated in 2 full-immersion simulations of critical events using a high-fidelity computerised patient simulator. Their perceptions of team interactions were explored through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Written questionnaire data and interview transcriptions were entered into N6 qualitative software. Data were analysed by 2 investigators for emerging themes and coded to produce reports on each theme.


RESULTS
We found evidence of limited understanding of the roles and capabilities of team members across professional boundaries, different perceptions of appropriate roles and responsibilities for different members of the team, limited sharing of information between team members and limited team input into decision making. There was a perceived impact on task distribution and the optimal utilisation of resources within the team.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective management of medical emergencies depends on optimal team function. We have identified important factors affecting interactions between different health professionals in the anaesthesia team, and their perceived influences on team function. This provides evidence on which to build appropriate and specific strategies for interdisciplinary team training in operating theatre staff.
Weller
Jennifer M
JM
Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. j.weller@auckland.ac.nz
Janssen
Anna L
AL
Merry
Alan F
AF
Robinson
Brian
B
D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010358:Patient Participation; D010465:Perception