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The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of providing narrative training to a mixed group of doctors, nurses, social workers, and child life therapists on a pediatric oncology service for the purpose of promoting empathy, building teams, and preventing burnout. All staff members were invited to attend a weekly narrative training seminar for 6 weeks.

PubMed URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20102268

Interprofessional practice (IP)--ie, collaborative practice--involves interaction and knowledge-sharing between professionals from different disciplines in order to meet the needs of the patient. This approach to care is well suited to patients with pressure ulcers, whose complex and varying presentations require the monitoring and consultation of an IP team. A 44-year-old man with anoxic brain injury was admitted to a complex continuing care facility with 18 wounds, 17 of which were pressure ulcers.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has a strong history of embracing staff empowerment and shared decision making. Shared governance for nursing was implemented in 1989; a separate allied health structure was created in 1999. The two operated in parallel with few occasions for interface, and with little collaboration. With the beginning of the medical center's efforts to pursue perfect patient care in 2002, there was a marked increase in the frequency of interprofessional initiatives and collaborations in the organization.

INTRODUCTION:

Cardiac surgery demands effective teamwork for safe, high-quality care. The objective of this pilot study was to develop a comprehensive program to sharpen performance of experienced cardiac surgical teams in acute crisis management.

METHODS:

Practice development (PD), as a framework for multiprofessional working, has immense potential, specifically within change management and the clinical governance agenda. It has been acknowledged as a vehicle for 'continuous improvement'. This article discusses PD through collaborative working using the example of a case study on change of practice in falls reduction within a localised community setting. The process is underpinned by a PD framework and facilitated by leaders of PD within a university setting.

PROBLEM ADDRESSED:

Family physicians provide most of the care for the frail elderly population, but many challenges and barriers can lead to difficulties with fragmented, ineffective, and inefficient services.

OBJECTIVE OF PROGRAM:

To improve the quality, efficiency, and coordination of care for the frail elderly living in the community and to enhance geriatric and interprofessional skills for providers and learners.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

As part of the Health Resources and Services Administration Patient Safety and Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative (PSPC), an interprofessional model with medication therapy management documentation and outcomes tracking tools (MTM-DOTT) is established to improve health care access and quality for underserved populations. Despite limitations, there have been positive outcomes and national recognitions.

PubMed URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22864492

BACKGROUND:

We evaluated the retention of trauma knowledge and skills after an interprofessional Trauma Team Training (TTT) course in Guyana and explored the course impact on participants.

METHODS:

A mixed-methods design evaluated knowledge using a multiple-choice quiz test, skills and trauma moulage simulation with checklists, and course impact with qualitative interviews. Participants were evaluated at 3 time points; before, after, and 4 months after TTT.

RESULTS: