Interprofessional collaboration in joint clinical sessions in an intensive care unit: Perceptions of nurses and physicians

Abstract

IntroductionCollaborative practice is an interpersonal process in which different professional disciplines that share objectives interact, participate in decision-making and provide comprehensive and quality care. The joint clinical sessions offer the opportunity to interact and improve communication between professionals and optimise results in practice. AimTo explore perceptions of nurses and physicians about collaborative practice in joint Intensive Care Unit clinical sessions. MethodCritical discourse analysis, through semi-structured interviews and field journals, using as theoretical reference the concepts of Campus, Capital and Habitus by Pierre Bourdieu. Participants: nurses and physicians of the Intensive Care Unit, who were recruited by intentional sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and a discourse analysis was then performed. The interviews were coded by all the researchers, then shared and the data were interpreted in the context in which they were collected. ResultsFive categories emerged: 1) Concept: integration and involvement of a team with collective contributions and shared objectives, 2) importance: it increases patient safety, improves professional satisfaction and quality of care, 3) factors: the absence of culture organisations make collaborative practice difficult, 4) role: the nurse perceived that she plays a passive role (listener) during the clinical rounds and the physician an active role (communicator) and, 5) improvement strategies: to establish a schedule and balance interprofessional tasks. ConclusionsThere is a need for empowerment in active participation by nursing staff in joint clinical sessions. The medical group should be more aware of the humanistic perceptions that other professionals can bring. Encouraging active listening in physicians, improving real communication by nursing staff and generating a space where respect and confidence prevail, will favour interprofessional work dynamics.