Research & theory
Communication and Relational Ties in Inter-Professional Teams in Norwegian Specialized Health Care: A Multicentre Study of Relational Coordination
Authors:
- Merethe HustoftEmail Merethe Hustoft
- Øystein Hetlevik
- Jörg Aßmus
- Sverre Størkson
- Sturla Gjesdal
- Eva Biringer
Abstract
Introduction: The delivery of integrated care depends on the quality of communication and relationships among health-care professionals in inter-professional teams. The main aim of this study was to investigate individual and team communication and relational ties of teams in specific care processes within specialized health care.
Methods: This cross-sectional multi-centre study used data from six somatic hospitals and six psychiatric units (N = 263 [response rate, 52%], 23 care processes) using a Norwegian version of the Relational Coordination Survey. We employed linear mixed-effect regression models and one-way analyses of variance.
Results: The mean (standard deviation) relational coordination total score ranged from 4.5 (0.33) to 2.7 (0.50). The communication and relationship sub-scale scores were significantly higher within similar functional groups than between contrasting functional groups (P < .05). Written clinical procedures were significantly associated with higher communication scores (P < .05). The proportion of women in a team was associated with higher communication and relationship scores (P < .05).
Conclusion: The Relational Coordination Survey shows a marked variation in team functions within inter-professional teams in specialized health-care settings. Further research is needed to determine the reasons for these variations.
- Volume: 18
- Page/Article: 9
- DOI: 10.5334/ijic.3432
- Submitted on 19 Sep 2017
- Accepted on 27 Mar 2018
- Published on 27 Apr 2018
- Peer Reviewed