TITLE:
Enhancers and hindrances to doctor-nurse interdisciplinary collaborative practice in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Ijeoma L. Okoronkwo, John E. Anieche, Anthonia U. Chinweuba, Afam C. Ndu
KEYWORDS:
Enhancers; Hindrances; Doctor-Nurse; Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice; Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital; Nnewi; Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.3 No.2,
May
31,
2013
ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that
enhance and hinder interdisciplinary collaborative practice (ICP) among doctors and nurses at the Nnamdi Azikiwe
teaching hospital, Nnewi, southeast Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional
descriptive survey and the quantitative method of data collection was employed.
The population was all doctors irrespective of area of specialty and all
nurses employed and working in the hospital as at the time of study. Proportionate stratified and convenience sampling methods were used to select study participants according to their categories.
Using validated structured questionnaire, data were collected from 110
doctors and 95 nurses in the teaching hospital on their perception on ICP and
factors that enhance/hinder ICP. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and
inferential statistics. Specifically,
frequencies, percentages, standard deviation and graphic presentation
were used for descriptive analysis of scores while the unpaired t test of mean
score using Graph Pad Prism, Version 5.30 was used to determine the influence of profession, gender, and years of
experience on perception of ICP at 0.05 level of significance. The study found
that both doctors and nurses have positive perception on ICP. Their years of
experience have significant influence on their perception. Clear individual
roles and good working relationships enhance ICP while giving priority to professional
status rather than expertise was seen as a prominent hindrance to ICP. The
study recommends collaborative continuing
education for doctors and nurses to enhance ICP in patient care. In
addition, the inclusion of
interdisciplinary collaborative practice programmme into the curriculum of
medical and nursing students (where it does not exist) would go a long way to strengthen ICP and decrease
hindrances when they graduate.