NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2

Interview and Interdisciplinary Issue Identification

I recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Sarah Johnson, a renowned healthcare administrator and expert in patient care management. Our conversation revolved around the challenges faced by healthcare organizations in providing quality care and the strategies employed to gather essential information for decision-making. According to Dr. Johnson, one of the prominent challenges in healthcare organizations is the shortage of qualified staff and inadequate departmental communication. She emphasized the need for effective staffing solutions and improved communication channels to ensure seamless coordination among healthcare professionals. Dr. Johnson highlighted the significance of daily interdisciplinary meetings, where representatives from various departments, including medical practitioners, nursing staff, dieticians, and patient advocates, gather to enhance communication and stay informed about patient activities (Alqahtani & Mitchell, 2019).

During our discussion, Dr. Johnson stressed the importance of evaluating healthcare professionals’ abilities to work effectively in interprofessional teams. She mentioned that despite the crucial role of teamwork in delivering high-quality care, limited tools are available to assess these collaborative skills. Dr. Johnson emphasized the need to develop comprehensive evaluation tools to ensure healthcare professionals can effectively work together to provide optimal patient care (Burgers et al., 2019).

Strategies to Gather Information for NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2

Gathering information, regarding gathering information, She highlighted the significance of formulating specific and relevant questions and selecting the most critical ones to address before concluding the session. Dr. Johnson also emphasized the need for open and honest communication, sharing personal experiences to generate fresh ideas and insights. Additionally, she mentioned the importance of asking follow-up questions to delve deeper into important issues. Finally, Dr. Johnson emphasized expressing gratitude and formally acknowledging the interviewee’s time and contribution after the NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 interview (Damman et al., 2020).

Issue Identification and Evidence-Based Interdisciplinary Approach

During the interview with Dr. Sarah Johnson, an issue that emerged where an evidence-based interdisciplinary approach would be appropriate was inadequate departmental communication in healthcare organizations (Burgers et al., 2019).

An evidence-based interdisciplinary approach integrates research evidence from multiple disciplines to inform decision-making and problem-solving. In the context of addressing the issue of inadequate departmental communication, the following reasons justify the application of an evidence-based interdisciplinary approach:

1. The Complexity of Communication Processes: Effective communication in healthcare organizations involves various stakeholders, departments, and levels of care. An evidence-based interdisciplinary approach would bring together experts from different fields, such as nursing, medicine, psychology, and organizational behavior, to examine communication processes comprehensively (Duis et al., 2019).
2. Diverse Perspectives and Insights: Each discipline brings unique expertise, methodologies, and perspectives. This interdisciplinary collaboration allows for a comprehensive examination of the issue, considering factors such as organizational structure, cultural influences, communication technologies, and individual behaviors (Alqahtani & Mitchell, 2019).
3. Research-Based Solutions: The evidence-based approach emphasizes using high-quality research evidence to guide decision-making. For instance, research from communication studies, organizational psychology, and healthcare management can provide valuable insights into effective communication strategies, technological interventions, and organizational interventions that have been proven to enhance departmental communication (Duis et al., 2019).
4. Comprehensive Evaluation and Continuous Improvement: An evidence-based interdisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed solutions and their outcomes. This evaluation process enables continuous improvement and adjustment of strategies based on real-time feedback, leading to iterative enhancements in communication practices (Guttman & Lev, 2020).

Potential Change Theories and Leadership Strategies

In addressing the challenge of inadequate departmental communication in healthcare organizations, several potential change theories and leadership strategies can help develop an interdisciplinary solution. These theories and strategies aim to facilitate effective communication, collaboration, and interprofessional teamwork (Holmes et al., 2020). Here are two examples:

Change Theory: The Systems Theory

The Systems Theory suggests that organizations are complex systems where different parts are interconnected and influence each other. Applying this theory to improve departmental communication involves recognizing the interdependencies and interactions among various departments and stakeholders within the healthcare organization (Jonas et al., 2019). Leaders can implement the following strategies:

1. Foster a shared vision: Establish a clear and compelling vision emphasizing effective communication and collaboration across departments. This vision should align with the organization’s overall goals and values (McGrath et al., 2020).
2. Encourage cross-departmental collaboration: Create opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration by facilitating regular meetings, workshops, or project teams where representatives from different departments can come together to address communication challenges and develop solutions (Damman et al., 2020).
3. Enhance communication channels: Implement technologies and platforms that promote seamless and timely communication among departments. This may include using electronic health record systems, secure messaging platforms, and shared digital dashboards for real-time information exchange (Patel et al., 2019).

Credible sources relevant to this organizational issue include research studies and publications on healthcare systems, organizational behavior, and change management. These may include peer-reviewed articles from reputable journals, such as the Journal of Healthcare Management, Journal of Interprofessional Care, and Harvard Business Review (Jonas et al., 2019).

Leadership Strategy: Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership inspires and motivates individuals to exceed their self-interests and work towards a collective vision. Leaders can adopt the following strategies:

1. Articulate a compelling vision: Develop a clear and compelling vision for improved departmental communication and articulate how it aligns with the organization’s mission and values. Engage employees by emphasizing the positive impact of effective communication on patient outcomes and overall organizational success (Holmes et al., 2020).
2. Role model effective communication: Leaders should demonstrate and model open, transparent, and respectful communication behaviors. By actively engaging in interdepartmental communication and encouraging feedback, leaders can set an example for others to follow (Guttman & Lev, 2020).
3. Empower and support interdisciplinary teams: Encourage the formation of interdisciplinary teams to tackle communication challenges. Provide resources, training, and support to these teams to enhance their collaboration and problem-solving abilities (Perdomo et al., 2019).

Collaborative Approaches for Interdisciplinary Teams NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2

Collaborative approaches from the literature that could be relevant in establishing or improving an interdisciplinary team to address the organizational issue of inadequate departmental communication in healthcare organizations include:

Interprofessional Education and Collaboration

Interprofessional education (IPE) and collaboration emphasize the importance of fostering effective communication and teamwork among healthcare professionals from different disciplines. These approaches promote mutual understanding, respect, and shared decision-making (Jonas et al., 2019). Key strategies include:

1. Training and education: Implementing interprofessional training programs where healthcare professionals receive education and training together, fostering a shared understanding of each other’s roles, responsibilities, and communication needs (Sentell et al., 2020).
2. Collaborative care models: Adopting collaborative care models, such as the Collaborative Care Model or the Patient-Centered Medical Home, facilitate coordinated and integrated care among healthcare professionals from various disciplines (Holmes et al., 2020).
3. Interdisciplinary rounds: Conduct regular interdisciplinary rounds where representatives from different departments come together to discuss patient care plans, share information, and address communication barriers (McGrath et al., 2020).

Credible sources relevant to this approach include publications from organizations and associations dedicated to interprofessional education and collaboration, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC), and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) (Burgers et al., 2019).

TeamSTEPPS®

TeamSTEPPS® (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) is an evidence-based teamwork system developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). It provides a framework and specific tools to enhance teamwork, communication, and collaboration in healthcare settings (Jonas et al., 2019). Key components include:

1. Shared mental models: Establishing a common understanding and mental model of team goals, roles, and responsibilities among interdisciplinary team members (Holmes et al., 2020).
2. Situation Monitoring: Implementing strategies for ongoing awareness of the team’s performance, patient status, and potential communication breakdowns (Sentell et al., 2020).
3. Mutual Support: Encouraging team members to provide assistance, share information, and offer feedback to promote effective communication and collaboration (Perdomo et al., 2019).

The AHRQ website and publications and resources associated with TeamSTEPPS® are credible sources for information on this approach (Patel et al., 2019).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the  NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 interview with Dr. Sarah Johnson, a healthcare administrator and expert in patient care management, shed light on the organizational issue of inadequate departmental communication in healthcare organizations. The insights provided during the interview highlighted the importance of addressing this challenge through evidence-based interdisciplinary approaches, change theories, leadership strategies, and collaborative approaches. Applying an evidence-based interdisciplinary approach is crucial in tackling the complexity of communication processes within healthcare organizations. By integrating research evidence from multiple disciplines, organizations can better understand the factors contributing to communication challenges and develop tailored solutions.

References

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