The Collaborative Healthcare Team: Tensive Issues Warranting Ongoing Consideration

Abstract

By understanding the tensive issues that could potentially influence the quality of collaboration, MDs and APNs can consider communication measures geared toward strengthening their partnerships.

Exploration of the concept of collaboration within the context of nurse practitioner-physician collaborative practice

“…Collaborative practice between NPs and MDs is defined as a process through which these providers work concurrently toward a mission of exceptional patient care, implying team members work collegially and cohesively and strive for a common goal (Hallas, Butz, & Gitterman, ; Martin, O'Brien, Heyworth, & Meyer, ; Norsen, Opladen, & Quinn, ). Likewise, it is an interdisciplinary course of action for decision making and communication so as to facilitate the individual skills and knowledge of the healthcare providers.…”

“…The ability to communicate openly and effectively is a key antecedent to effective collaboration (Clarin, ; Lindeke & Sieckert, ; Martin et al, ; Todd, Resnick, Stuhlemmer, Morris, & Mullen, ). Open communication requires that NPs and MDs listen to each other's points of view, while being self‐confident in conveying their own perspective.…”

“…Conflict management skills and problem solving are other important antecedent to collaboration and are the abilities of NPs and MDs to actively convey information to ensure that available expertise are used in conflict negotiation so the best feasible resolution is realized (Boyle & Kochinda, ; Kuebler & Bruera, ; Martin et al, ; Nelson et al, ). Collaboration incorporates mutually compatible solutions with recognition and concern of both disciplines (Maylone, Ranieri, Griffin, McNulty, & Fitzpatrick, ).…”

“…Additionally, NPs and MDs often experience disagreement regarding issues of autonomous nursing practice. MDs often do not understand the NP role and where the NP fits into the nursing or medical field (Martin et al, ). Thus, a clearer conceptualization of the concept of collaboration within this context is warranted to provide knowledge for NPs to guide their practice.…”

Simulation enhanced interprofessional education with nurse practitioner and medical students for patients with bipolar disorder: Facilitators and barriers in teamwork

“…However, there are misunderstandings between these two professions in regards to role autonomy of nurse practitioners and general understandings of physicians' role in health care. [5] These issues remain today and affect teamwork and communication between providers, ultimately impacting patient care. A relatively recent concept analysis on nurse practitioner-physician collaborative practice [6] identified the following needs to be accomplished for collaborative communication and interaction between the two professions: each individual's readiness, understanding and acceptance of each other's roles, confidence in each other's abilities, respect, trust and environmental support.…”