Enhancing nurse-physician collaboration using pediatric simulation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the level of nurse-physician collaboration during simulation training.


METHODS
A human patient simulator (HPS) of three mock codes with life-threatening scenarios in children, an understudied population, was used. A set of standardized measures and observational techniques were used to determine levels of nurse-physician collaboration and interaction on multiple dimensions found to improve patient outcomes.


RESULTS
High levels of group cohesion (GC) and collaboration and satisfaction with patient care decisions (CSPCD) were identified among both physicians and nurses. The male respondents, regardless of discipline, had significantly higher GC scores (p = .029) and significantly higher CSPCD scores (p = .005) than the female respondents. Although the nurses and physicians self-reported good collaboration following the scenarios, analysis of the videotapes revealed that collaboration improved over time.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study hold promise for this critical area of science that seeks to improve the outcomes of patients who experience life-threatening events.
Messmer
Patricia R
PR
Patient Care Services Research, Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001359:Aviation; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D017751:Safety Management; D015144:Southeastern United States; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording