Interprofessional collaboration between junior doctors and nurses in the general ward setting: A qualitative exploratory study

AIM: To explore the collaboration experiences of junior physicians and nurses in the general ward setting. BACKGROUND: Junior physicians and nurses do not always work collaboratively and this could affect the quality of patient care. The understanding of the issues affecting junior physicians and nurses working together is needed to inform strategies to improve interprofessional collaboration. METHODS: Nineteen junior physicians and nurses were interviewed in 2012 and 2013. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Junior physicians and nurses acknowledged the importance of working collaboratively to achieve better patient care, but they are struggling to cope due to heavy clinical workload, organisational constraints and differing power relationships. Nurses have to take on more responsibilities in the decision-making process of patients' care to foster effective interprofessional collaboration. CONCLUSION: The study calls for educational and organisational strategies to improve interprofessional collaboration between junior physicians and nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse leaders should ensure that ward nurses are given a designated time to participate in ward rounds with physicians and have access to a communication tool that assists them in contributing proactively in the decision-making process of patient care.