EoE Module 13 References-Etherington et al PLoS One 2021 Barriers and enablers to effective interprofessional teamwork A qualitative study

Etherington et al PLoS One 2021 Barriers and enablers to effective interprofessional teamwork A qualitative study

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In a qualitative study conducted by Cole Etherington and colleagues, the barriers and facilitators of effective interprofessional teamwork in the operating room (OR) were explored using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). The research involved 66 OR professionals, including nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgeons, primarily from hospitals in Ottawa, Canada. Participants were interviewed to understand the dynamics affecting teamwork in surgical environments.<br /><br />Key enablers for teamwork included managing interpersonal relationships, establishing a shared definition of teamwork, implementing effective communication strategies, and familiarity with team members. Conversely, several barriers to effective collaboration were identified: challenging personalities, the influence of gender and other social identity factors, rigid professional hierarchies, resource limitations, lack of engagement during on-call/night shifts, and insufficient knowledge of best teamwork practices.<br /><br />Interestingly, while most participants shared a common understanding of teamwork, differences in professional norms and individual personalities often hampered cohesive interactions. The study highlighted that emotions—fear, in particular—can detrimentally impact teamwork, reflecting established power hierarchies that affect the interprofessional dynamic.<br /><br />The study underscores the complexity of OR teamwork, suggesting that improving teamwork requires multi-level interventions addressing personal, team, and system-level factors, with a focus on dissolving social and professional hierarchies. Recommendations include creating collaborative spaces for better informal interactions among diverse professional groups, which could alleviate hierarchy and promote better relationships. Moreover, embedding teamwork training into continuing professional development could address the highlighted knowledge gap, promoting strategies like conflict resolution and inclusivity training.<br /><br />This comprehensive approach is essential to fostering an improved teamwork culture in high-stakes surgical environments, ultimately aiming to increase patient safety and improve overall surgical culture.

Keywords

interprofessional teamwork

operating room

Theoretical Domains Framework

barriers

facilitators

communication strategies

professional hierarchies

teamwork training

surgical environments

patient safety