The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
Vol. 39 No. 7 July 2008
By Patricia R. Messmer, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine the level of nurse-physician collaboration during simulation training.
METHODS
A human patient simulator (HPS) of three mock codes with life-threatening scenarios in children, an understudied population, was used. A set of standardized measures and observational techniques were used to determine levels of nurse-physician collaboration and interaction on multiple dimensions found to improve patient outcomes.
RESULTS
High levels of group cohesion (GC) and collaboration and satisfaction with patient care decisions (CSPCD) were identified among both physicians and nurses. The male respondents, regardless of discipline, had significantly higher GC scores (p = .029) and significantly higher CSPCD scores (p = .005) than the female respondents. Although the nurses and physicians self-reported good collaboration following the scenarios, analysis of the videotapes revealed that collaboration improved over time.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study hold promise for this critical area of science that seeks to improve the outcomes of patients who experience life-threatening events.
J Contin Educ Nurs 2008;39(7):319-327.
AUTHOR
Dr. Messmer is Director, Patient Care Services Research, Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri. At the time of this study, Dr. Messmer was the Nurse Researcher at Miami Children’s Hospital, Miami, Florida.
The author thanks Richard Zeller, PhD, Biostatistician; Jacqueline L. Gonzalez, ARNP, MSN, CNAA-BC, FAAN, SrVP/CNO, Miami Children’s Hospital, and all the pediatric residents and nurses who participated; Susana Barroso, RN, BSN, Assistant Director of Simulation, Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami; Beth Ann Ramey, ADN, RN, Clinical Simulation Clinical Educator, Miami Children’s Hospital; Susan Lacey, PhD, RN, Director of Nursing Workforce and Systems Analysis, Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics; Pamela Mannon, MSAS, MSHF, Program Pilot, Business Aviation, Honeywell Aerospace; Kathryn Sapnas, PhD, RN, CCRN, CNOR, Chief Nurse, Research and Informatics, Miami VA Healthcare System; and Terri L. Thompson, RN, MSN, CPNP, University of Missouri, Kansas City.
This research was funded by Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. The pediatric simulator program was funded by the Peacock, Kirk, and Hugoton Foundations.
Address correspondence to Patricia R. Messmer, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, Director, Patient Care Services Research, Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108.
