NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 2

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 analysis of an interview with a healthcare professional to identify an organizational issue that requires an interdisciplinary approach to resolve. The interview highlights communication challenges in a healthcare setting, especially during patient handovers and critical care interventions. The report will discuss change theories, leadership strategies, and collaborative approaches aimed at addressing these issues and enhancing healthcare delivery.

Interview Summary

The interview was conducted with a charge nurse at St. Michael’s Medical Center, an acute care facility specializing in emergency medicine, surgery, and chronic disease management. The charge nurse, who has over five years of experience, oversees nursing staff, coordinates interdepartmental activities, and manages patient care. The focus of the interview was on communication delays between nursing staff and physicians during emergency situations, particularly during patient handovers and critical care interventions. Previous initiatives, including the introduction of a standardized handoff tool, had inconsistent adherence. Staff training and communication workshops were introduced but sustaining improvements remained challenging. Although the organization promotes a supportive culture, interdisciplinary collaboration remains fragmented, with staff often working independently and relying on their specialized knowledge. The interviewee suggested that a more structured communication framework and enhanced engagement strategies could improve patient outcomes significantly.

The interview was conducted using open-ended questions to encourage comprehensive responses. A semi-structured approach allowed flexibility in exploring emerging topics, while active listening techniques such as paraphrasing and clarification were used to ensure understanding and prompt further elaboration (Slade & Sergent, 2023). Contextual prompts were employed to identify both successful and unsuccessful organizational strategies. The interview concluded with a summary, allowing the interviewee to provide additional insights.

Issue Identification

The communication breakdowns between nurses and physicians during patient handovers and critical care situations emerged as a major issue. These communication delays contribute to delays in care, confusion, and increased risks to patient safety. An evidence-based interdisciplinary approach is necessary to address this issue, as it facilitates effective collaboration, ensuring seamless communication and coordinated care (Simons et al., 2022). Implementing standardized communication tools, such as structured handoff protocols, could help mitigate these issues. Research indicates that teamwork training enhances communication and builds trust among healthcare professionals, ultimately improving patient care outcomes (Eva et al., 2024). Interdisciplinary collaboration encourages continuous feedback and innovation, fostering long-term improvements. A culture of mutual respect and teamwork can enhance communication and patient safety.

Change Theory and an Interdisciplinary Solution

Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory provides a well-established model for organizational change. The theory includes three stages: unfreezing, changing, and refreezing (Smith et al., 2022). Applying this model to communication issues in healthcare can facilitate improvements. The unfreezing stage involves identifying communication gaps and raising awareness about their negative impact on patient care. The changing stage includes implementing interdisciplinary interventions, such as structured communication protocols (e.g., SBAR) and joint training sessions. The refreezing stage reinforces new communication practices through monitoring, feedback, and leadership support. Research supports the effectiveness of Lewin’s Change Theory in facilitating sustainable organizational change through interdisciplinary collaboration (Smith et al., 2022).

Leadership Strategy and an Interdisciplinary Solution

Transformational leadership is an essential strategy for overcoming communication breakdowns. This leadership style fosters innovation, professional development, and a shared commitment to achieving common goals. Transformational leaders encourage open communication, mentorship, and trust-building across departments, which strengthens teamwork and information sharing (Jankelová & Joniaková, 2021). These leaders also model desired behaviors, ensuring staff adherence to communication protocols. Furthermore, transformational leaders support continuous training initiatives and monitor progress to sustain improvements. Research shows that transformational leadership enhances interdisciplinary collaboration and improves patient care outcomes (Jankelová & Joniaková, 2021). By creating a culture of teamwork and shared responsibility, healthcare organizations can implement effective communication strategies that drive long-term change.

Collaboration Approach for Interdisciplinary Teams

The TeamSTEPPS framework is a widely recognized, evidence-based approach that enhances communication and teamwork in healthcare settings. It promotes clear communication, mutual respect, and shared goals, which are essential for improving collaboration between nurses and physicians (Hassan et al., 2024). The framework provides structured training, role clarification, and feedback mechanisms to address communication breakdowns, especially during patient handovers. Adopting TeamSTEPPS can help healthcare organizations establish a culture of collaboration, where all team members understand their roles and responsibilities. This approach leads to improved coordination, reduced errors, and better patient outcomes (Hassan et al., 2024). Research validates the effectiveness of TeamSTEPPS in enhancing interprofessional collaboration and patient safety, making it a practical solution to communication challenges.

Conclusion

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

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

Table: Interview Summary and Issue Identification

Table: Change Theory, Leadership, and Collaboration