title: An exploration of nurse-physician perceptions of collaborative behaviour.
abstract: Interprofessional collaboration is a key element in providing safe, holistic patient care in the acute care setting. Trended data at a community hospital indicated opportunities for improvement in collaboration on micro, meso, and macro levels. The aim of this survey study was to assess the current state of collaboration between frontline nurses and physicians at a non-academic acute care hospital. A convenience sample of participants was recruited with a final respondent sample of 355 nurses and 82 physicians. The results indicated that physicians generally perceived greater collaboration than nurses. Physician ratings did not vary by primary practice area, whereas nurse ratings varied by clinical practice area. Nurse ratings were the lowest in the operating room and the highest in the emergency department. Text-based responses to an open-ended question were analysed by role and coded by two independent research teams. Emergent themes emphasised the importance of rounding, roles, respect, and communication. Despite recognition of the need for improved collaboration and relational behaviours, strategies to improve collaborative practice must be fostered at the meso level by organisational leaders and customised to address micro-level values. At the study site, findings have been used to address and improve collaboration towards the goal of becoming a high reliability organisation.
authors.affiliation: a Sharp Memorial Hospital , San Diego , California , USA.
authors.forename: Alice E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Collette
authors.affiliation: a Sharp Memorial Hospital , San Diego , California , USA.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wann
authors.affiliation: a Sharp Memorial Hospital , San Diego , California , USA.
authors.forename: Meredith L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Nevin
authors.affiliation: a Sharp Memorial Hospital , San Diego , California , USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rique
authors.affiliation: a Sharp Memorial Hospital , San Diego , California , USA.
authors.forename: Grant
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tarrant
authors.affiliation: a Sharp Memorial Hospital , San Diego , California , USA.
authors.forename: Lorraine A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.affiliation: a Sharp Memorial Hospital , San Diego , California , USA.
authors.forename: Jaynelle F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stichler
authors.affiliation: a Sharp Memorial Hospital , San Diego , California , USA.
authors.forename: Belinda M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Toole
authors.affiliation: a Sharp Memorial Hospital , San Diego , California , USA.
authors.forename: Tanna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thomason
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D024382:Professional Role; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Collaboration; communication; nurse; nurse–physician relations and relationships; physician