Journal article
Project CREATE: Improving Nurse-Physician Teamwork through Problem-Based Learning Sessions
Journal of interprofessional education & practice, Vol.43, 100811
06/2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.xjep.2026.100811
Abstract
Nurse-physician teamwork is instrumental in delivering high quality, safe and reliable patient care in the inpatient setting. [1, 2] In recognizing patterns of minor patient safety gaps and delays in care for common clinical conditions of diabetes mellitus (DM), sepsis, and congestive heart failure (CHF), we identified an opportunity for improved nursing education on these clinical topics and improved nursing-physician collaboration at a 900-bed academic safety net hospital. We aimed to strengthen nurse-physician relationships, teamwork and engagement by using monthly problem-based learning (PBL) groups for medicine unit nurses, facilitated by faculty physicians, to create mutual understanding and alignment of clinical topics and workflows that contribute to patient safety events and delays in care. Clinical topics were initially focused on DM, sepsis, and CHF, then broadened to include a variety of topics based on team interest. Both experienced and novice nurses were selected by their unit leadership to participate on a voluntary basis. Participant objectives were as follows: 1) Recognize common interprofessional workflow gaps that can lead to complications or delays in care related to common medical conditions; 2) Model critical thinking in problem-based learning groups to strengthen nursing knowledge base of common medical conditions; and 3) Build improved interprofessional team culture through strengthened relationships, communication and trust. Outcomes were measured using pre- and post-culture surveys for both nurses and physicians as well as nursing clinical assessments. Nurses and physicians reported several benefits after this year-long PBL program pairing physicians and nurses including: 1) mutual learning about each other’s workflows; 2) improvement in nursing-physician relationships; and 3) strengthened nursing knowledge base. Nurses reported feeling empowerment through knowledge and increased comfort communicating concerns with physicians. We were able to improve nurse-physician relationships and teamwork through a yearlong semi-structured collaboration. Future continued interprofessional collaborations on a larger scale have the potential to positively impact patient safety outcomes by enhancing teamwork.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Project CREATE: Improving Nurse-Physician Teamwork through Problem-Based Learning Sessions
- Creators
- Anita Hegde - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterThanh Tran - Parkland Memorial HospitalVivek Patel - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterCorey Manges - Parkland Memorial HospitalTeresa Taylor - Parkland Memorial HospitalPreetha Nair - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterVidushi Golla - Parkland Memorial HospitalHina Mehta - Parkland Memorial HospitalMadeline Michalopulos - Parkland Memorial HospitalSudha Somasundaravelayudham - Parkland Memorial HospitalRozina Suteria - Parkland Memorial HospitalJanuary Baclig - Parkland Memorial HospitalMary Adame - Parkland Memorial HospitalInestral Pierre - Parkland Memorial HospitalL. Steven Brown - Parkland Memorial HospitalEugene S. Chu - Parkland Memorial Hospital
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of interprofessional education & practice, Vol.43, 100811
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.xjep.2026.100811
- ISSN
- 2405-4526
- eISSN
- 2405-4526
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 03/13/2026
- Date published
- 06/2026
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine; Hospital Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985147189402771
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