Interdisciplinary Learning and Collaboration With Technology

Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.

-Mattie Stepanek

        In order to maintain patient safety it is vital that communication between all healthcare professionals is seamless. Positive interdisciplinary communication is does not only improve patient outcomes, but it improves the satisfaction of healthcare workers, patients, and their families. Helping to improve this collaboration between different professionals, gains an appreciation and respect for everyone as they work together toward the same patient goal. Many different teaching hospitals have created lecture based education sessions, nursing grad rounds, and committees with different professionals who work together to improve patient outcomes and educate one another. Many technologies can be used to help professionals work together to build a positive working environment. For example, high fidelity simulation experiences have become more prevalent and simulation scenarios are being practiced will all healthcare providers in a group. If institutions had the ability to utilize these education sessions using a interdisciplinary approach,communication and collaboration would become more familiar and overall care for the patient would improve.

        These simulated experiences mimic real-life scenarios and are practiced within the healthcare provider’s regular working environment. These experiences help doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, coordinators, residents, and pharmacists to communicate in stressful situations and learn how to work together to improve patient outcomes. Within these practice scenarios, all healthcare professionals can learn to problem solve and work together to achieve seamless quality care. It is very important for all team members to follow these learning sessions with a groups debriefing in order to address issues and discuss what can be done in the future to improve care. Debriefing sessions a facilitator should set an atmosphere that is supportive and positive. This helps the learner to be open within the discussion and feel safe when expressing any concerns. The importance of utilizing a multidisciplinary learning environment is vital, and as technology advances it is important to give healthcare workers the opportunity to grow and learn together to improve patient outcomes.