title: A mixed-methods study of the causes and impact of poor teamwork between junior doctors and nurses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to collect and analyse examples of poor teamwork between junior doctors and nurses; identify the teamwork failures contributing to poor team function; and ascertain if particular teamwork failures are associated with higher levels of risk to patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Critical Incident Technique interviews were carried out with junior doctors and nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two teaching hospitals in the Republic of Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Junior doctors (n = 28) and nurses (n = 8) provided descriptions of scenarios of poor teamwork. The interviews were coded against a theoretical framework of healthcare team function by three psychologists and were also rated for risk to patients by four doctors and three nurses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 33 of the scenarios met the inclusion criteria for analysis. A total of 63.6% (21/33) of the scenarios were attributed to 'poor quality of collaboration', 42.4% (14/33) to 'poor leadership' and 48.5% (16/33) to a 'lack of coordination'. A total of 16 scenarios were classified as high risk and 17 scenarios were classified as medium risk. Significantly more of the high-risk scenarios were associated with a 'lack of a shared mental model' (62.5%, 10/16) and 'poor communication' (50.0%, 8/16) than the medium-risk scenarios (17.6%, 3/17 and 11.8%, 2/17, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poor teamwork between junior doctors and nurses is common and places patients at considerable risk. Addressing this problem requires a well-designed complex intervention to develop the team skills of doctors and nurses and foster a clinical environment in which teamwork is supported.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'connor
authors.affiliation: West North West Intern Training Network, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'dea
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sinéad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lydon
authors.affiliation: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Gozie
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Offiah
authors.affiliation: Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Antoinette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flannery
authors.affiliation: Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Bronagh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.affiliation: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoban
authors.affiliation: Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.affiliation: Saolta Healthcare Group, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Dara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Byrne
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007494:Ireland; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards
keywords: communication; human factors; intern; junior doctor; nurse; patient safety; teamwork