Abstract
Purpose of Review
Increased collaboration between physicians and nurses may translate into improved patient outcomes. We explored the feasibility of an innovative educational program for nurses taught by physicians in their own medical team. It was designed as 15-min sessions on five relevant clinical topics imparted during nurses’ shift change. We assessed confidence at dealing with conditions included in education sessions, knowledge on topics and subjective general impressions, and perceived barriers.
Recent Findings
We found that nurses reported increased confidence at dealing with the conditions included in the educational program and had gained knowledge in some areas. Participants described the program as very successful from multiple angles; it was perceived as helpful, practical, and more importantly, it was perceived as an invaluable opportunity for collaboration in benefit of patients. Instructors also reported improved understanding of nurses’ responsibilities, role, and challenges. Improved communication and understanding between health care team providers may translate into improved patient outcomes, including quality of care and patient satisfaction.
Summary
Although our study is a pilot, the results provide preliminary evidence that integrating a program like this into an already constantly busy, fast-paced hospital environment is feasible, and it is perceived as an opportunity to improve nurse-physician collaboration.
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Ton, E., Butteri, M., De Alba, I. et al. Closing the Clinical Knowledge Gap: Achieving Collaborative Nursing Education Between Hospitalists and Nurses. Curr Emerg Hosp Med Rep 5, 114–118 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40138-017-0138-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40138-017-0138-1