Nurse-physician leadership: insights into interprofessional collaboration.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this qualitative research study was to identify themes characterizing collaboration from the perspectives of nurses and physicians serving in complementary leadership roles in intensive and progressive care hospital units.


BACKGROUND
Failures of communication are reported as a major cause of sentinel events. Most frequently, communication breakdown occurs between physicians and nurses.


METHODS
In this qualitative research study, taped interviews with nursing and medical unit directors (physicians) were analyzed for themes regarding factors influencing collaboration.


RESULTS
Themes identified included the impact of organizational support, shared expectations, relationships, and communication.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings of this study support the need for organizations and professionals to facilitate deliberate, structured interprofessional communication to advance collaboration between nurses and physicians.
Author Affiliations: Senior Director, Nursing Research and Evidence-based Practice (Dr Clark); Vice Chair, Academic Affairs, Department of Family and Community Medicine (Dr Greenawald), Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Virginia.
Rebecca Culver
RC
Clark
Mark
M
Greenawald
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000458:organization & administration