18
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Kenyatta University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
60
Subject
Communications
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
10
Uploaded by ProfessorInternet8372
1
Workplace Interprofessional Collaboration and Effective Interpersonal Communication
Student’s Name:
Institutional Affiliation:
2
Workplace Interprofessional Collaboration and Effective Interpersonal Communication
Currently, organizational success depends on communication effectiveness, especially in
the healthcare sector which influences people’s lives. The report by the Joint Commission
regarding sentinel events for the period between 1995 and 1995 is worrisome, depicting 66
percent of sentinel events as those accruing from poor communication. Therefore, addressing
communication challenges is key. The current paper explores components through which
effective interpersonal communication can be achieved, the role of interprofessional
collaboration, and an application of the components to the promotion of collaboration in the
workplace. Other subjects that the paper addresses include strategies for fostering
interprofessional collaboration, how to establish or build effective interprofessional teams, and
the criticality of cultural competence.
Components Necessary for Effective Interpersonal Communication
Certain components characterize effective interpersonal communication and they go a
long way in enhancing productive, meaningful, and clear exchanges between individuals. One of
these components is active listening. According to
Busari, Moll and Duits (2017), active listening
is not just about hearing words but also demonstrating genuine interest in what the other
individual could be saying. In healthcare, the implication is that healthcare professionals would
not just hear the medical histories of patients but also extend attention to their nonverbal cues,
emotions, and concerns. For instance, a nurse who actively listens to the way a patient describes
their symptoms would probe deeper and discern hidden fears or concerns. Through such an
empathetic approach, more accurate treatment plans and diagnoses can be achieved.
3
Verbal and nonverbal communication form another component. As stated by
Chichirez
and Purcărea (2018), nonverbal communication impacts patient care significantly. Also, anxious
body language on the part of a healthcare provider can increase anxiety levels inadvertently in
patients. A specific example is the delivery of difficult news to a patient. Here, the body language
and tone of voice are expected to entail support and empathy.
Clarity and conciseness are an additional component. In the study by Lee and Doran
(2017), it was held that in healthcare, clarity helps to avoid misunderstandings that could
otherwise yield medical errors. Particularly, when engaging in a task such as explaining a
surgical procedure, a surgeon will be expected to demonstrate simple and clear language to
enhance full comprehension by the patient regarding post-operative instructions, benefits, and
risks. In case of overly technical terms or medical jargon, confusion could set in.
Empathy has been documented as an additional component that characterizes effective
interpersonal communication. According to Reeves, Pelone and Harrison
et al.
(2017), empathy
in healthcare is about understanding the medical condition of a patient and the emotional state in
which they may be. For instance, a physician may empathize with the anxieties and fears of a
cancer patient, proceeding to provide emotional support alongside medical advice. Through such
an empathetic connection, the relationship between the patient and the provider might be
strengthened, hence the eventual improvement in overall patient satisfaction.
Lastly, there is the component of feedback. As highlighted by
Busari, Moll and Duits
(2017), in healthcare, feedback aids in fostering continuous improvement and professional
growth. The attribute is about critiquing another individual’s performance constructively while
directing the focus on improvement and not the criticism itself. A nurse, for instance, might
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
specifically offer feedback to a colleague on a recent interaction with a patient to indicate areas
for communication improvement. Through such feedback, the professionals might enhance
interprofessional communication skills continually.
The Importance of Interprofessional Collaboration
Improved patient outcomes are one of the points. According to
Chichirez and Purcărea
(2018), collaborative care exploits expertise from different healthcare professionals, upon which
more effective and comprehensive treatment plans can be achieved. For instance, an individual
diagnosed with diabetes could benefit from a collaborative team entailing a nurse educator, a
nutritionist, an endocrinologist, and a primary care physician. In such a case, each professional
might contribute his or her specialized knowledge to the realization of a well-rounded plan of
care for addressing the educational, dietary, and medical needs of the patient. Enhanced
efficiency is another point. As avowed by Lee and Doran (2017), collaboration ensures
redundancy is reduced and tasks are implemented by an ideal member of the team. For example,
given a surgical team, the surgeon will engage in the operation while the anesthesiologist will
manage anesthesia in the patient. Also, the nurses will be expected to assist in the patient care
process, with the resulting state of division of labor ensuring time management and patient care
optimization.
Comprehensive care is an additional benefit. In the study by Reeves, Pelone and Harrison
et al.
(2017), findings held that in an example such as one in which a patient may be having
multiple chronic conditions, a collaborative approach allows room for the effective management
of each condition. Probable teams might include a nephrologist, a pulmonologist, and a
cardiologist working together to address the specific needs of the patient. Through such a
5
comprehensive care approach, the interplay between various medical conditions might be
considered, aiding in mitigating adverse interactions pitting different treatments. Lastly,
collaboration enhances patient-centered care. In the investigation by
Busari, Moll and Duits
(2017), findings demonstrated that in situations, where interprofessional collaboration is
exercised, the patient is placed at the healthcare team’s center. In the process, there is the
consideration of the goals, values, and preferences of the patient during care plan development. A
specific illustration is one in which the treatment plan for a cancer patient may be tailored to the
individual preferences of the patient, whether there is a focus on the quality of life or aggressive
treatment. Through such a resulting patient-centered approach, the care might be aligned with the
unique desires and needs of the patient at hand.
Applying Interprofessional Communication Components to Interprofessional
Collaboration
Considering active listening as the initial component, given interprofessional
collaboration, it ensures that each member of the team understands others’ contributions fully.
For example, when a surgeon listens actively to the concerns of an anesthesiologist concerning
the anesthesia plan for a patient before surgery, the eventuality is that a culture of trust and
respect among team members might be fostered, having valued the input of each individual.
About verbal and nonverbal communication, it can be noted that effective communication
between healthcare professionals relies on both nonverbal and verbal cues. For example, a nurse
may utilize a reassuring smile as a way of conveying support during a discussion with a
colleague about the deteriorating condition of a patient. Given a collaborative team, nonverbal
cues may signal a need for clarification, disagreement, or agreement, upon which smooth
interactions might be maintained.
6
When it comes to clarity and conciseness, it is notable that clear and concise
communication in an interprofessional team is key. For instance, during the discussion of the
treatment plan of a patient during rounds, a physical is expected to utilize plain language to
ensure that regardless of their specialty, all members of the team understand the plan and can
also provide input or ask questions. Eventually, clear communication may minimize the risk of
misinterpretation. Regarding empathy, it is key to note that empathetic communication on the
part of members of the team may foster a united and supportive healthcare team. Specifically,
empathy ensures that members of the team understand the challenges of one another, including a
situation in which a surgeon empathizes with the stress of an operating room nurse during
complex procedures. Here, the resulting empathy may encourage collaboration and create a sense
of camaraderie during high-stress situations or complex medical cases.
Finally, the component of feedback can be applied to interprofessional collaboration.
Specifically, given an interprofessional team, the focus of feedback is on the improvement of
patient care and teamwork. For example, when a radiology technician offers feedback about
communication efficiency between the emergency department and radiology while also
suggesting improvements as needed, this state of a feedback loop may foster continuous
communication practice improvement, hence ensuring that the team evolves to offer better
patient care.
Strategies for Promoting Interprofessional Collaboration
Team building activities are one of the strategies. According to
Chichirez and Purcărea
(2018), activities such as workshops on effective communication and group problem-solving
may enable healthcare teams to develop trust and bond. Particularly, engaging in tasks such as
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
7
simulation exercises replicating complex medical scenarios, problem-solving skills, and
encouraging collaboration may foster interprofessional collaboration. The second strategy
involves clear roles and responsibilities. As contended by Lee and Doran (2017), roles and
responsibilities that are defined clearly may enable members of the team to understand their
duties and their contribution to patient care. For example, in a surgical team, well-defined roles
of operating room nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgeons tend to reduce confusion during
procedures. Regular meetings are a third strategy. In the study by Reeves, Pelone and Harrison
et
al.
(2017), findings held that these meetings provide room for open communication,
collaborative decision-making, and the sharing of information. The meetings, thus, enable
members of the team to address any concerns or challenges by reviewing treatment plans and
discussing patient cases. Through such regularity, everyone may stay informed and
communication channels remain open.
The fourth strategy is the use of technology. According to
Busari, Moll and Duits (2017),
investing in communication technologies ensures that the sharing of patient information occurs
efficiently and securely. For example, electronic health records may allow professionals from
various specialties to access patient data, treatment plans, and test results in real time, a predictor
of better care coordination. Lastly, conflict resolution training has been documented to be an
effective approach. In the investigation by
Chichirez and Purcărea (2018), findings indicated that
this training ensures that members of the team are equipped with skills for addressing
disagreements constructively, affecting patient care positively, and preventing conflict escalation.
A specific example is one in which members attend conflict resolution workshops on how to de-
escalate tense situations. Here, mutually acceptable solutions are likely to be embraced in clinical
environments in most cases (Lee & Doran, 2017).
8
Effective Strategies for Interprofessional Team Building
Diversity in team composition is one of the strategies. According to Reeves, Pelone and
Harrison
et al.
(2017), diverse teams come with a wealth of ideas and perspectives to the table.
For instance, a pediatric oncology section may constitute social workers, child psychologists,
oncologists, and pediatricians to allow each side to contribute its unique expertise toward patient
care improvement. Hence, such diversity enables teams to address various patient needs
efficiently. The second strategy entails training and education. As highlighted by
Busari, Moll
and Duits (2017), continuous education allows members to stay abreast of the latest
advancements in different fields. For example, nurses could be trained regularly to understand
treatment approaches or medical technologies, hence the ability to offer more informed patient
care. The third strategy is leadership support. Based on the observations by
Chichirez and
Purcărea (2018), effective leadership enhances a collaboration culture by offering relevant
resources, recognition for teamwork, and guidance. For instance, the administration of a hospital
may enhance interprofessional teams through budgetary allocations for interdisciplinary research
initiatives, staffing, and training. Lastly, measurement and feedback are key. As highlighted by
Lee and Doran (2017), assessing team performance regularly via metrics and offering feedback
ensures that there is continuous improvement. The metrics may include team communication
evaluations, satisfaction scores, and patient outcomes. Through such a data-driven approach,
teams might be better placed to identify areas for improvement, hence the ability to adjust their
practices as needed (Reeves, Pelone & Harrison
et al.,
2017).
Focusing on Cultural Competence
9
On this subject, three key issues are worth emphasizing to ensure better outcomes. One of
them is cultural sensitivity training. According to
Busari, Moll and Duits (2017), this training
increases an understanding of cultural norms and their impact on patient care. For example, the
training might center on the criticality of respecting the religious-related dietary preferences of
patients, including offering options for kosher or halal meals in hospitals. Interpreter services are
a second option. Here, ensuring access to interpreters could bridge language barriers and foster
communication effectiveness with patients hailing from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Thus, a
dedicated language department could be designated at hospitals to offer interpreters or video
remote interpreting services. Thirdly, there is a need for cultural liaisons. In the study by
Chichirez and Purcărea (2018), it was stated that when members with expertise in specific
cultural backgrounds are available, cultural nuances in patient care could be understood and
addressed. For instance, hospitals may embrace cultural liaisons for a local Hispanic community
to guide on culturally sensitive practices such as healthcare beliefs and communication
preferences (Lee & Doran, 2017).
Conclusion
In summary, interprofessional collaboration and effective interpersonal communication
are key in healthcare because they shape patient outcomes and safety. Some of the components
of effective communication include clarity, empathy, and active listening. These components,
upon application in interprofessional team contexts, may enhance collaboration. Through the
prioritization of aspects such as enhancing cultural competence, building effective teams, and
strategies for promoting collaboration, it is predicted that clinical environments might be better
placed to improve patient outcomes via adverse event mitigation and improved patient and
provider satisfaction with services.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
10
References
Busari, J. O., Moll, F. M., & Duits, A. J. (2017). Understanding the impact of interprofessional
collaboration on the quality of care: a case report from a small-scale resource limited
health care environment.
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
,
10
, 227-234.
https://doi.org/10.2147%2FJMDH.S140042
Chichirez, C. M., & Purcărea, V. L. (2018). Interpersonal communication in healthcare.
Journal
of Medicine and Life
,
11
(2), 119-122
Lee, C. T-S. & Doran, D. M. (2017). The Role of Interpersonal Relations in Healthcare Team
Communication and Patient Safety: A Proposed Model of Interpersonal Process in
Teamwork.
Canadian Journal of Nursing Research,
49
(2), 75-93.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0844562117699349
Reeves, S., Pelone, F., Harrison, R., Goldman, J., & Zwarenstein, M. (2017). Interprofessional
collaboration to improve professional practice and healthcare outcomes.
Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews, 6
(6):CD000072.
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd000072.pub3