Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Abstract

This quasiexperimental study investigated interdisciplinary collaboration over a 16-month period on units using different collaborative practice strategies. Measures of collaboration and perceived physician involvement in collaborative practice were completed by 335 licensed staff members working on seven general adult units in an acute care hospital located in an academic medical center. Data were collected at two time points: in 1993 and 1995. A small but statistically significant decline in collaboration was found (p = 0.01) over the 16-month period. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference (p = 0.03) in collaboration related to the method used to develop collaborative paths. Post hoc Tukey's test indicated that the presence of a case manager without collaborative paths did show higher levels of collaboration (p = 0.05). Regardless of the strategy used, perceived high physician involvement was related to greater collaboration than perceived low involvement with differences increasing over time (p = 0.02). These findings suggest the importance of perceived physician involvement in collaborative practice to interdisciplinary collaboration.

Evaluation of a sedation protocol for intubated critically ill children

“…The majority of nurses surveyed linked the use of the protocol with facilitated team decision-making. A study of interdisciplinary collaboration found that perceived high physician involvement was related to greater collaboration regardless of the collaborative practice strategy used (Wells et al 1998). The use of a sedation protocol that transfers some of the decision-making authority to nurses requires a change in culture.…”

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Applied to Clinical Research

“…16 For the purpose of this paper, collaboration is defined as working together with others toward mutually agreed upon goals for a specified purpose or project as discussed by Wells and colleagues. 17 In this paper, the term interdisciplinary is used, however, it is recognized that other terms, such as transdisciplinary or multidisciplinary, overlap considerably, and may be applied interchangeably. For a more detailed discussion on the definition of interdisciplinary collaboration, see Aboelela and colleagues.…”

Evidence‐Based Development of a Hospital‐Based Heart Failure Center

“…APNs would run the center, providing collaborative care and aggressive education to referred patients as indicated in the literature (McCormick, 1999 [26]; Paul, 1997 [29]). Patients would be seen on site for physical assessments and treatment as indicated in the literature (Consensus Trial Study Group, 1987 [9]; Heart Failure Society of America, 1999 [15] [35]). Patients would be routinely telemonitored to assess level of HF compensation (Johnson & Frank, 1995 [18]).…”