NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 2

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations

Prof. Name

Date

Interview and Interdisciplinary Issue Identification

This paper presents an interview conducted with a healthcare professional to identify an organizational issue that necessitates an interdisciplinary approach. The discussion includes a summary of the interview findings, the identification of key challenges, and the application of relevant change theories, leadership strategies, and collaborative approaches to address the problem.

Interview Summary

The interview was conducted with a charge nurse who has over five years of experience managing nursing staff, coordinating interdepartmental efforts, and overseeing patient care at St. Michael’s Medical Center. This acute care facility specializes in emergency medicine, surgery, and chronic disease management. The interview revealed significant communication delays between nursing staff and physicians, particularly during emergencies and patient handovers. Although a standardized handoff tool had been introduced to mitigate these delays, adherence remained inconsistent. Efforts to enhance communication through staff training and workshops were only moderately successful, as sustaining improvements proved challenging. While the organization fosters a supportive culture, interdisciplinary collaboration often remains fragmented, as healthcare professionals tend to work independently within their areas of expertise. The interviewee emphasized that a structured communication framework and engagement strategies are critical to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and improving patient outcomes.

A semi-structured interview approach was employed, using open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses (Slade & Sergent, 2023). Active listening techniques, including paraphrasing and clarifying responses, were utilized to validate the interviewee’s perspectives and encourage further discussion (Slade & Sergent, 2023). Additionally, contextual prompts helped explore both successful and unsuccessful organizational strategies. The interview concluded with a summary to confirm accuracy and allow the interviewee to provide additional insights.

Issue Identification

One of the most pressing issues identified was communication breakdowns between nurses and physicians, particularly during patient handovers and critical care situations. These breakdowns contribute to care delays, confusion, and increased patient safety risks. An interdisciplinary approach is necessary to address these challenges effectively, as it fosters seamless communication and enhances care coordination (Simons et al., 2022).

Implementing standardized communication tools, such as structured handoff protocols, has been shown to mitigate these challenges. Research indicates that training healthcare professionals in teamwork and communication enhances collaboration and builds trust among staff members (Eva et al., 2024). Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaboration promotes continuous feedback and innovation, leading to sustainable improvements. Establishing a culture of mutual respect and teamwork can significantly enhance communication, ensuring a cohesive healthcare environment that prioritizes patient safety and high-quality care delivery.

Change Theory and an Interdisciplinary Solution

Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory provides a structured approach to addressing communication challenges in healthcare. The model consists of three stages: unfreezing, changing, and refreezing (Smith et al., 2022). In the unfreezing stage, gaps in communication are identified, and awareness is raised about their impact on patient care. The changing stage involves implementing interdisciplinary interventions such as structured communication frameworks (e.g., SBAR) and joint training sessions to enhance teamwork. The refreezing phase focuses on reinforcing these new communication practices through continuous monitoring, feedback, and leadership support. Research supports the application of Lewin’s model in fostering sustainable organizational transformation through interdisciplinary collaboration (Smith et al., 2022).

Leadership Strategy and an Interdisciplinary Solution

Transformational leadership is an effective strategy for addressing communication challenges between nurses and physicians. This leadership style encourages innovation, professional development, and a shared commitment to organizational goals. Transformational leaders emphasize open communication, mentorship, and trust-building across different departments, which enhances teamwork and information exchange (Jankelová & Joniaková, 2021).

Leaders who model effective communication behaviors and encourage adherence to standardized handoff protocols can ensure long-term improvements. Additionally, continuous training initiatives and performance monitoring help sustain these improvements. Research supports that transformational leadership fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, ultimately enhancing patient care outcomes (Jankelová & Joniaková, 2021). By fostering a culture of teamwork and shared accountability, healthcare organizations can implement effective communication strategies that drive lasting improvements.

Collaboration Approach for Interdisciplinary Teams

The TeamSTEPPS framework is an evidence-based approach designed to improve communication and teamwork within healthcare settings. This model emphasizes clear communication, mutual respect, and shared goals, which are crucial for fostering collaboration between nurses and physicians (Hassan et al., 2024). TeamSTEPPS provides structured training, role clarification, and feedback mechanisms to address communication breakdowns, particularly during patient handovers. By adopting this framework, healthcare organizations can cultivate a culture of collaboration in which all team members understand their roles and responsibilities, leading to improved coordination and reduced medical errors (Hassan et al., 2024). Research confirms the effectiveness of TeamSTEPPS in strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting patient safety.

Conclusion

Addressing communication breakdowns in healthcare requires an interdisciplinary approach. By integrating Lewin’s Change Theory, transformational leadership strategies, and evidence-based frameworks like TeamSTEPPS, healthcare organizations can foster a collaborative culture that enhances communication, strengthens teamwork, and optimizes patient outcomes. These strategies contribute to sustainable organizational improvements, ensuring high-quality and safe patient care.

Table: Key Aspects of Interview and Interdisciplinary Solutions

References

Eva, T. P., Afroze, R., & Sarker, M. A. R. (2024). The impact of leadership, communication, and teamwork practices on employee trust in the workplace. Management Dynamics in the Knowledge Economy, 12(3), 241–261. https://doi.org/10.2478/mdke-2024-0015

Hassan, A. E., Mohammed, F. A., Zakaria, A. M., & Ibrahim, I. A. (2024). Evaluating the effect of TeamSTEPPS on teamwork perceptions and patient safety culture among newly graduated nurses. BMC Nursing, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01850-y

Jankelová, N., & Joniaková, Z. (2021). Communication skills and transformational leadership style of first-line nurse managers in relation to job satisfaction of nurses and moderators of this relationship. Healthcare, 9(3), 346. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9030346

NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 2

Simons, M., Goossensen, A., & Nies, H. (2022). Interventions fostering interdisciplinary and inter-organizational collaboration in health and social care: An integrative literature review. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 28(28), 100515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2022.100515

Slade, S., & Sergent, S. R. (2023). Interview techniques. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526083/

Smith, T. G., Norasi, H., Herbst, K. M., Kendrick, M. L., Curry, T. B., Grantcharov, T. P., Palter, V. N., Hallbeck, M. S., & Cleary, S. P. (2022). Creating a practical transformational change management model for novel artificial intelligence-enabled technology implementation in the operating room. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 6(6), 584–596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2022.09.004