Interdepartmental collaboration in a teaching hospital – A force field analysis

The first rank order question had six items listing factors necessary for collaboration (good communication, timely response, good administration, understanding roles, competent staff, and enough faculty number) and the second had nine items listing factors obstructing collaboration (including pressurizing or being pressurized even for non-emergency patients, hierarchy issues, ego problems, administrative problems, less number of staff, incompetency and lack of time, communication, and understanding). Suggestions included having guidelines specific for each department, workshops/soft skills training/incorporation as UG curriculum, regular rounds by medical superintendent, active grievance cell, 24 x 7 HR personnel, incentives for best team work, keep ego at bay, more transparency, respect, and value for knowledge and time [Graphs 1-3]. The study also suggests that education of staff is essential to implement any improvements Intensive care unit (ICUs) is one special area where interdepartmental collaboration plays a very important role in patient care and safety. [10] A study in Limpopo province suggests guidelines for effective communication which include interdepartmental meetings, relevant, correct, constant reporting, faculty development programs, creating an effective communication environment, and using skills for effective communication)14 "Hierarchies: the Berlin Wall of patient safety" M M Walton reports that often the relationship between a senior and junior