Exploring challenges to teamwork and strategies to enhance teamwork in the emergency department of a private hospital in Gauteng

Abstract

Introduction Effective teamwork in the fast-paced environment of the emergency department is essential to patient safety and staff satisfaction. Patient safety, quality of care and staff satisfaction are directly proportional to the level of teamwork in the emergency department. A shared philosophy and collaboration between healthcare professionals play a vital part in effective teamwork. Maintaining a positive therapeutic relationship is key to ensuring a well-functioning team. Lack of teamwork in the emergency department has damaging effects on patient care and safety, as well as staff satisfaction. The conflict between healthcare professionals is disruptive to the therapeutic environment and teamwork.

Aim and Objectives of the Study The study aimed was to explore and describe teamwork challenges between healthcare professionals working in the emergency department (ED) of a private hospital by employing the principles of a semi-structured individual interview process. The objectives were to explore and describe the current teamwork challenges in the chosen setting between doctors and nurses and find strategies to overcome challenges.

Research Design and Methods This study followed a qualitative, descriptive and explorative design to understand and describe the phenomenon of teamwork between healthcare professionals in the selected emergency department. Specifically, the reflective views of the team members regarding the teamwork between doctors and nurses. Set in a private hospital in Gauteng, a sample of five nurses and five doctors from the population of healthcare professionals working in the selected ED, selected by purposive sampling, participated in this study. Data was collected by employing virtual individual interviews, using a semi-structured questions guide, based on an appreciative inquiry perspective. A deductive data analysis process was used to generate themes with categories and sub-categories.

Findings The study identified three main themes relevant to the perceptions of teamwork challenges in the specified setting:

Theme 1: Poor team satisfaction. Theme 2: Lacking team unity. Theme 3: Ineffective leadership.

Based on these themes, several strategies were suggested by the participants to improve the teamwork in the ED. This demonstrates that healthcare professionals possess the necessary knowledge to identify teamwork challenges within their team and understand attainable strategies to enhance effective teamwork.