The concept of shared mental models in healthcare collaboration.
OBJECTIVE
To report an analysis of the concept of shared mental models in health care.


BACKGROUND
Shared mental models have been described as facilitators of effective teamwork. The complexity and criticality of the current healthcare system requires shared mental models to enhance safe and effective patient/client care. Yet, the current concept definition in the healthcare literature is vague and, therefore, difficult to apply consistently in research and practice.


METHODS
Concept analysis.


METHODS
Literature for this concept analysis was retrieved from several databases, including CINAHL, PubMed and MEDLINE (EBSCO Interface), for the years 1997-2013.


METHODS
Walker and Avant's approach to concept analysis was employed and, following Paley's guidance, embedded in extant theory from the team literature.


RESULTS
Although teamwork and collaboration are discussed frequently in healthcare literature, the concept of shared mental models in that context is not as commonly found but is increasing in appearance. Our concept analysis defines shared mental models as individually held knowledge structures that help team members function collaboratively in their environments and are comprised of the attributes of content, similarity, accuracy and dynamics.


CONCLUSIONS
This theoretically grounded concept analysis provides a foundation for a middle-range descriptive theory of shared mental models in nursing and health care. Further research concerning the impact of shared mental models in the healthcare setting can result in development and refinement of shared mental models to support effective teamwork and collaboration.
Schools of Nursing and Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
Sara
S
McComb
Vicki
V
Simpson
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational
collaboration; concept analysis; health care; nursing; shared mental models; teamwork