Preliminary Study on Teamwork Communications in the Healthcare Sector: A Perspective of Electronic Clinical Pathways

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This paper aims to examine the current situation of teamwork communications in Jordan, verify the existing problems, and to provide the electronic Clinical Pathways as a solution. Methods/Statistical Analysis: A mixed method approach was adopted to verify if any functions of electronic Clinical Pathways were implemented. At first, the ten physicians were interviewed to check if there is any computerized system to support teamwork communications. Secondly, a survey was conducted across physicians and nurses. Finally, the functions of electronic Clinical Pathways were examined by applying Multivariate method (SPSS v. 19). Findings: It was found that both the functions of Clinical Pathways and a support system for teamwork communications were not at all implemented. In other words, the element of teamwork communications is entirely missing in the recent Health Information Systems (HISs). Electronic Clinical Pathways is chosen as the communication tool due to its inherent ability to improve healthcare quality and concurrently reduces the cost of implementation.