By working directly at the bedside, nurses are some of the biggest advocates for safe patient care, after the patient and his or her family. In this position, it’s easy to see the essential part nursing plays on the growing movement to develop more health care teams.
But is there evidence to show actual improvement in health care outcomes?
This video by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation outlines some to he processes and research in place to study the effectiveness of interprofessional education. In Michigan, there is a $1.5 million HRSA grant to research outcomes of a nurse-led IPE clinic treating obesity.
There is additional academic evidence as well. Research in the British Medical Journal found improvements in patient safety through improved communications and teamwork skills. Research published in the Journal of Healthcare Risk Management found that clinical errors were reduced after instituting formal teamwork training and structures.
The AACN has responded to the growing body of literature demonstrating the importance for team based care by making interprofessional education and collaboration a key part of nursing education at the baccalaureate and graduate levels.
The National League for Nursing also recommended a greater focus on interprofessional education, with an emphasis on simulation.
Want to develop your teamwork skills? Learn about the Education to Practice Interprofessional Education Conference on Nov 14-15.
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