RCS: Relational Coordination Scale
The Relational Coordination Scale (RCS) measures the quality of communication and relationships in bounded and unbounded teams. A mutually reinforcing process of communication (frequent, timely, accurate, and problem-solving) and relationships (shared goals, shared knowledge, and mutual respect) characterize the strength of coordination ties amongst interdependent team members.
The Relational Coordination Scale (RCS) is a short 7-item instrument that uses a 5-point likert-type scale. The RCS has been used in several industries including healthcare, education, airlines, pharmaceuticals, software firms, financial services, and the criminal justice system in over 15 countries. The RCS is a fully validated instrument whose unbounded property makes it applicable across multiple levels- cross-professional, cross-unit, cross-organization and also between providers and clients.
For the most recent reference to the instrument, please see:
Gittell, J.H., Beswick, J, Goldmann, D., Wallack, S. (2014). Teamwork Methods for Accountable Care: Relational Coordination and TeamSTEPPS. Health Management Review. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000021 Available online ahead of print.
PLEASE NOTE: Only those with paid subscriptions to the Wolters Kluwer/OvidSP database may access the full text of this copyright-protected article. Contact your institutional library or the publisher for details.
Please visit the Relational Coordination Analytics website for information on measuring relational coordination and the RCS tool.
Please visit Relational Coordination Research Collaborative website for the most current research on relational coordination and additional resources.
| Reference |
Gittell, J.H., Fairfield, K., Bierbaum, B., Jackson, R., Kelly, M., Laskin, R., Lipson, S., Siliski, J., Thornhill, T., Zuckerman, J. (2000). Impact of Relational Coordination on Quality of Care, Post-Operative Pain and Functioning, and Length of Stay: A Nine Hospital Study of Surgical Patients. Medical Care, 38(8): 807-819. PLEASE NOTE: Only those with paid subscriptions to the Wolters Kluwer/OvidSP database may access the full text of this copyright-protected article. Contact your institutional library or the publisher for details. |
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| Tool Description |
See above. |
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| Country | United States | |
| Setting | Hospitals – elective surgery and post-operative care | |
| Professions |
Physicians, Nurses, Case Managers, Physical Therapists, Social Workers |
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| Sample |
338 care providers and 878 patients |
|
| Contact |
Jody Hoffer Gittell, Brandeis University, Phone:781.736.3680; jgittell@brandeis.edu |
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| Reference |
Havens, D.S., Vasey, J., Gittell, J.H., Lin, W. (2010). Relational Coordination Among Nurses and Other Providers: Impact on the Quality of Care. Journal of Nursing Mgt, 18(8): 926-937. PLEASE NOTE: Only those with paid subscriptions to the Wiley Online Library may access the full text of this copyright-protected article. Contact your institutional library or the publisher for details. |
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| Tool Description |
See above. |
|
| Country | United States | |
| Setting | Hospitals | |
| Professions |
Direct Care Registered Nurses |
|
| Sample |
747 nurses |
|
| Contact |
Donna Sullivan Havens, University of North Caroline at Chapel Hill, Phone: (919) 843-1244 ; dhavens@email.unc.edu |
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| Reference | Cramm, J.M., Nieboer, A.P. (2014b). A Longitudinal Study to Identify the Influence of Quality of Chronic Care Delivery on Productive Interactions Between Patients and (Teams of) Healthcare Professionals Within Disease Management Programs. BMJ Open, 4:e005914. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005914 | |
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| Tool Description |
See above. |
|
| Country | The Netherlands | |
| Setting | Chronic Care – Disease Management | |
| Professions |
General Practitioners and Specialists |
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| Sample |
5,076 patients |
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| Contact |
Dr. Jane Murray Cramm, +31.(0)10-4088856; cramm@bmg.eur.nl |
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