Interventions to improve communication between nurses and physicians in the intensive care unit: An integrative literature review

Abstract

Effective communication among healthcare professionals in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a particular imperative, with accurate and efficient interdisciplinary communication being a critical prerequisite for high-quality care. Nurses and physicians are highly important parts of the healthcare system workforce. Thus, identifying strategies that would improve communication between these two groups can provide evidence for practical improvement in the ICU, which will ultimately improve patient outcomes. This integrative literature review aimed to identify interventions that improve communication between nurses and physicians in ICUs. Three databases (Medline, CINAHL, and Science Direct) were searched between September 2014 and June 2016 using 11 search terms, namely, nurse, doctor, physician, resident, clinician, ICU, intensive care unit, communication, teamwork, collaboration, and relationship. A manual search of the reference lists of found papers was also conducted. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria. These studies reported on the use of communication tools/checklists, team training, multidisciplinary structured work shift evaluation, and electronic situation–background–assessment–recommendation documentation templates to improve communication. Although which intervention strategies are most effective remains unclear, this review suggests that these strategies improve communication to some extent. Future studies should be rigorously designed and outcome measures should be specific and validated to capture and reflect the effects of effective communication.

Documentação do processo de enfermagem em instituições públicas de saúde

“…The proper management of healthcare to ensure safety, effectiveness, quality, sustainability and positive experiences to users and professionals fundamentally depends on communication among health professionals. Clinical documentation is an instrument for communication between these professionals (1)(2)(3) . The quality of clinical documentation has therefore been the object of policies, norms and guidelines of health services and of organizations which guide or regulate health actions.…”

Avoiding medication errors through effective communication in healthcare environment

“…Good communication skills among pharmacists are also necessary to identify issues such as the patient's drug use, interactions, and side effects. Wang, Wan, Lin, Zhou, and Shang (2017) used an integrated review approach to analyse the effectiveness of communication between healthcare experts in the intensive care unit. It was found that efficient interdisciplinary communication is a vital requirement for quality healthcare delivery.…”

Explaining of Nurses’ Perception of Professional Relationship in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU)

“…Considering that over the last decade, improving the quality and safety has become one of the priorities of hospitals all around the world, professional relationship between the members of the care team is one of the important and reliable indices for patient care (10), and it potentially would affect patient's safety (11). The study of Rabøl et al (2011) showed that the reason for more than half of the incidences is rooted in inappropriate verbal communication between the personnel (12).…”

“…The study of Rabøl et al (2011) showed that the reason for more than half of the incidences is rooted in inappropriate verbal communication between the personnel (12). Also, the evidence and studies have suggested that promoting relationships and cooperation in CCUs would improve the quality of care, safety, and positive outcomes in the patients (10).…”