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BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The purpose of this study is to explore the role that inter-provider communication plays in the management of medications in the inpatient setting. Tasks associated with medication management include prevention of error, monitoring of therapeutic response, early detection of adverse drug events (ADE) and appropriate response once they have occurred. At all steps in the process, harm can be significantly mitigated by effective communication between provider roles. Communication in this study refers specifically to the sharing of medical management information. We propose to do a series of three interconnected studies to triangulate on how, when, and what information content regarding medication management is shared in an acute care hospital setting.
OBJECTIVE(S):
1.1 Specific Aim 1. Assess clinicians' beliefs and concerns regarding the role of communication in preventing, detecting and managing ADEs in elderly inpatients.
1.2 Specific Aim 2. Evaluate communication events among nurses, physicians and pharmacists in an inpatient medicine setting. (ethnographic observation)
Characterize communication events for timing, source, recipient, channel and content.
Assess the incidence rate of communication events among nurses, pharmacists and physicians, for both topics in general and related to medication management.
Identify and categorize prevalent communication goals of nurses, pharmacists, and physicians.
Identify and categorize role expectancies associated with communication events.
Assess perceived communication satisfaction at the event level.
Identify existing barriers and facilitators to effective communication.
METHODS:
In the first study, we will conduct a series of focus groups to examine providers' beliefs and perceptions regarding barriers to and issues surrounding communication of this kind of information. The second study will use ethnographic techniques to directly observe patterns and forms of communication.
FINDINGS/RESULTS:
We have conducted 3 focus groups (1 each of physicians, pharmacists and nurses) at 3 different VA sites. The focus groups have been taped and transcribed and undergoing qualitative analyses. Early findings indicate substantial issues regarding roles with respect to collaborative medication management.
IMPACT:
The findings will help to identify barriers to effective communication, establish the incidence of ineffective communication, and to support design of interventions.
PUBLICATIONS:
None at this time.
DRA:
Health Services and Systems
DRE:
Communication and Decision Making
Keywords:
Behavior (provider)
MeSH Terms:
none
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