Perceptions of nurse-physician interactions: insights from medical students’ clinical internships

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ABSTRACT Introduction Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) brings together health and social care professionals to enhance patient outcomes through mutual respect, effective communication, and shared responsibility. However, while Interprofessional Education (IPE) is essential for improving communication and care quality, its implementation remains challenging. One major obstacle is the cultural and historical difference in how nurses and physicians perceive IPC, which can hinder effective collaboration. Purpose To explore medical students’ perspectives of nurse-physician interactions. Methods This qualitative descriptive study examined written reports from 406 second-year medical students enrolled at the University of Padua. To identify patterns in nurse-physician interactions, data were analysed using Bales’ Interaction Process Analysis categories through a deductive content analysis approach. Additionally, qualitative analysis software facilitated the coding process, with Bales’ category integrated into ATLAS® Search&Code for text analysis. Furthermore, this research was conducted and reported in accordance with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Results A total of 438 student-reported detections were extracted from the reports and categorised into 12 of the Bales’ social interaction categories, revealing distinct roles and communication styles between nurses and physicians. Students detailed that nurses frequently provided opinions and orientations, reflecting a supportive role, while physicians were more inclined to seek orientation, indicating a collaborative approach. Moreover, the findings highlighted hierarchical dynamics, as nurses more likely to agree with others’ decisions, whereas physicians were less engaged in passive agreement. Moreover, students observed that stress and tension were more prevalent among physicians than nurses. Conclusion The study highlights the complementary yet distinct roles of nurses and physicians in clinical settings, underscoring the importance of balanced teamwork. Addressing hierarchical dynamics and enhancing communication are crucial for improving both patient care and job satisfaction. Therefore, training programs should focus on mitigating these barriers and fostering open communication to build a more cohesive healthcare environment.