Interprofessional collaboration is a critical aspect of a nurse's work
Interprofessional Collaboration: A Reflection on a Difficult Discharge
(Video opens with a shot of a nurse, [your name], sitting at a desk with a notebook and pen, reflecting on an experience.)
[Your Name]: "I've been a nurse for a few years now, and I've seen a lot of things. But one case sticks with me, it really highlighted the importance of interprofessional collaboration. It was a difficult discharge, and things weren't going smoothly."
(Video cuts to a montage of scenes showing a diverse healthcare team interacting with a patient and discussing their care plan.)
[Your Name]: "The patient was an elderly woman, Mrs. Smith, recovering from a hip fracture. She was medically stable, but her home environment was challenging. She lived alone and had limited mobility. The physical therapist and I felt she needed home health services and maybe even a skilled nursing facility for a short period."
(Video shows the nurse interacting with the patient and family, then cuts to a scene with a team meeting.)
[Your Name]: "We were all on the same page about the patient's needs, but there was a lot of back and forth with the social worker. She felt Mrs. Smith could manage at home with some community support services. There were disagreements about the level of care needed, the cost of various options, and the availability of resources in the community. It was frustrating, and it felt like we were all pulling in different directions."
(Video cuts back to the nurse reflecting.)
[Your Name]: "Looking back, I see where the breakdown happened. We didn't take enough time to truly understand each other's perspectives. We were all focused on our own professional roles and responsibilities, and we didn't fully appreciate the complexities of Mrs. Smith's situation. We needed to communicate better and really listen to each other."
(Video shows the nurse writing in a notebook, highlighting key concepts.)
[Your Name]: "I learned a lot from this experience. First, effective interprofessional collaboration requires clear communication. We need to actively listen to each other, consider different perspectives, and be open to compromise. Second, it's crucial to have a shared understanding of the patient's needs and goals. We need to consider the social, emotional, and physical factors influencing a patient's recovery. And finally, it's important to recognize that we are all part of a team. We need to work together, share our expertise, and support each other to achieve the best possible outcome for our patients."
(Video cuts to a scene of the team working together, with a positive and collaborative atmosphere.)
[Your Name]: "If I could go back, I would have taken a more active role in facilitating a structured team meeting. We could have used a shared decision-making model, involving the patient and family, to come to a consensus about Mrs. Smith's care plan. This approach would have ensured everyone felt heard, valued, and empowered."
(Video ends with a shot of the nurse smiling, looking confident and empowered.)
[Your Name]: "Interprofessional collaboration is essential for quality patient care. It takes effort, open communication, and a shared commitment to teamwork. But when it works, it can truly transform the patient experience and lead to better health outcomes."