Relationship between Interprofessional Communication and Sharing Information and Nurses' Burnout and Work Autonomy

Abstract

AbstractInterprofessional communication can positively improve clinical outcomes. Aim: to examine the relationship between interprofessional communication and sharing information and nurses' burnout and work autonomy. Methods: Design: cross-sectional correlational. Sampling: all physicians and nurses working in critical care units at Damanhour National Medical Institute, Egypt (N=167). Tools: self-administered questionnaires composed of four parts, namely: Communication and Sharing Information (CSI) scale; Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Scale (MBI-HSS); Global Work Autonomy Scale (GWA); and a demographic data sheet. Results: the findings showed that sharing of medical information and nurses-physicians communication were the highest dimensions. High mean of emotional exhaustion; depersonalization; and personal accomplishment dimensions of burnout; as well as total work autonomy. Significant differences were found between age and interprofessional communication and sharing information and both burnout dimensions (emotional exhaustion) and (depersonalization). No significant differences were found between all demographic characteristics and both nurses' burnout (personal accomplishment) and total work autonomy. An intermediate positive correlation was found between total communication and sharing information and burnout dimensions: emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and total work autonomy. Conclusion: total communication and sharing information are positively correlated to both burnout subscales: emotional exhaustion and depersonalization; and total work autonomy. However, total communication and sharing information and burnout subscale (personal accomplishment) are not correlated. Recommendations: strategies that foster patient-centered communication; and development of policies to equalize power dynamics; and enhance teamwork should be implemented.