Exploring the Importance of Collaboration and Teamwork in the Healthcare Environment
Collaborative competence and collaborative relationships are fundamental to the success of advanced practice nurses and must be at the center of any health care delivery system (Hanson & Carter, 2014). Patient care, particularly quality of care and patient outcomes, is affected by the presence or absence of collaboration (Hanson & Carter, 2014). The goal of this paper is to define and discuss the significance of collaboration in today’s healthcare environment, discuss characteristics of collaboration and provide a self-assessment of the writer’s collaborative strengths identifying two areas for improvement, identify barriers to collaboration, and lastly, …show more content…
Moreover, silos in the healthcare environment have made successful collaboration a challenge. Some researchers suggest that each profession is a culture with its rules, values, norms, and knowledge (Reuben et al., 2004) which further hinders successful collaboration. Gender stereotypes and tradition are barriers to collaboration in which the writer has encountered in her practice (Rafferty, Ball, & Aiken, 2001). On one occasion, the writer witnessed a patient that felt as if the male nurse caring for her for the shift was incompetent regarding her needs compared to the female nurse with whom she was familiar. Having been assigned to the patient on another occasion, the writer expressed her trust in respect for her male colleague and assured the patient that the male nurse would provide excellent care. The writer then went about her day with patient care. Given a second opportunity to address the situation differently, the writer would be sure follow up with the patient before the end of the shift to be sure her needs are being met and to offer solutions if …show more content…
In the presence of active collaboration, patient outcomes are improved. In this paper, the writer identified two areas for improvement to include clinical/interpersonal competence and humor. The writer will commit to expressing assertiveness and communicating openly about the skills and knowledge she possesses. Many of the barriers to collaboration are the result of cultural norms, values, and rules (Reuben et al., 2004). Collaboration may flourish as healthcare providers recognize their interdependence and value others’ input, thus creating a synergy that improves patient outcomes (Health Sciences Institute,
Collaborative competence and collaborative relationships are fundamental to the success of advanced practice nurses and must be at the center of any health care delivery system (Hanson & Carter, 2014). Patient care, particularly quality of care and patient outcomes, is affected by the presence or absence of collaboration (Hanson & Carter, 2014). The goal of this paper is to define and discuss the significance of collaboration in today’s healthcare environment, discuss characteristics of collaboration and provide a self-assessment of the writer’s collaborative strengths identifying two areas for improvement, identify barriers to collaboration, and lastly, …show more content…
Moreover, silos in the healthcare environment have made successful collaboration a challenge. Some researchers suggest that each profession is a culture with its rules, values, norms, and knowledge (Reuben et al., 2004) which further hinders successful collaboration. Gender stereotypes and tradition are barriers to collaboration in which the writer has encountered in her practice (Rafferty, Ball, & Aiken, 2001). On one occasion, the writer witnessed a patient that felt as if the male nurse caring for her for the shift was incompetent regarding her needs compared to the female nurse with whom she was familiar. Having been assigned to the patient on another occasion, the writer expressed her trust in respect for her male colleague and assured the patient that the male nurse would provide excellent care. The writer then went about her day with patient care. Given a second opportunity to address the situation differently, the writer would be sure follow up with the patient before the end of the shift to be sure her needs are being met and to offer solutions if …show more content…
In the presence of active collaboration, patient outcomes are improved. In this paper, the writer identified two areas for improvement to include clinical/interpersonal competence and humor. The writer will commit to expressing assertiveness and communicating openly about the skills and knowledge she possesses. Many of the barriers to collaboration are the result of cultural norms, values, and rules (Reuben et al., 2004). Collaboration may flourish as healthcare providers recognize their interdependence and value others’ input, thus creating a synergy that improves patient outcomes (Health Sciences Institute,