Breaking down barriers: A qualitative study of the influence of clinical space design on teamwork

Abstract

BackgroundDelivery of safe maternity care requires not only individual competence but collective team work, influenced by knowledge, team culture and physical working spaces. The ideal layout for a birthing unit is not known, but deliberate changes to the built environment can influence patient care.AimsTo explore the impact of creation of an open ‘hub’ on maternity team culture in a tertiary birthing unit and how physical changes to the environment shape values and practice.Materials and MethodsSemi‐structured interviews of members of the interprofessional team in a tertiary birth suite were performed and analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsSeventeen healthcare workers participated in interviews. Themes included: (i) enhanced psychological safety; (ii) impacts on teamwork; (iii) unintended consequences; and (iv) future directions for team cohesion and collaboration.ConclusionsChanges to the built environment can impact team work. This qualitative study identified benefits and unintended consequences to removing a wall, creating a maternity hub. Individuals, departmental leadership, and hospital executives should consider how changes to the built environment can be an effective and efficient way to shape teamwork and organisational culture.