A scenario involving a nurse, Connie, and a physician, Dr. Smith

QUESTION

Connie, the head nurse on Unit 7, is a respected member of the team. She has been working on this unit for a number of years and is seen by the other nurses as the “go to” person for questions and guidance. Connie is always thorough with patients and demonstrates excellence and quality in her work. Dr. Smith is a well-respected member of the medical profession and an expert in his field of medicine. He has a reputation for excellent bedside manner and is thorough in his approach with patients.

Connie is four hours into her 12-hour shift when she is approached by Dr. Smith. He asks, “Connie, why has the patient in Room 2 not received his blood pressure medication over the past few days? I was not notified about this!” Connie, trying to find a quick solution, replies, “I didn’t know that patient had been missing medication. I’ll go check on it and get back to you.” Dr. Smith is persistent, saying, “You don’t need to go check anything. I know this patient and should have been informed about the withholding of medication and the reasons why.” Connie, again attempting to find a resolution, states, “Well, there must be some communication about this change somewhere . . .” “There isn’t!” Dr. Smith interrupts. Connie becomes upset and decides to leave the conversation after declaring, “Fine, if you don’t believe me I can’t help you.”

Assessment

What values and ethics are violated in this scenario?

Based on the interaction between nurse and physician, how would you bring the two healthcare professionals together?

What are examples of give and take for nurse and physician?

How could you use this to achieve positive results for the healthcare team?

Is there a potential formal or informal agreement that could be proposed?

How would you encourage commitment to the said agreement?

ANSWER

Introduction

In healthcare settings, effective collaboration and communication between healthcare professionals are essential for providing high-quality patient care. However, conflicts and breakdowns in communication can occur, leading to violations of values and ethics. This essay examines a scenario involving a nurse, Connie, and a physician, Dr. Smith, and explores strategies to bring these professionals together, promote give and take, achieve positive results for the healthcare team, propose agreements, and encourage commitment to those agreements.

Values and Ethics Violated

Several values and ethics are violated in this scenario. These include:

Respect and Collaboration: Both Connie and Dr. Smith failed to demonstrate respect for each other’s expertise and roles. Their communication lacked collaboration and open-mindedness, hindering effective teamwork.

Communication and Accountability: There was a breakdown in communication between Connie and Dr. Smith regarding the withholding of medication for the patient. This lack of communication compromised patient safety and demonstrated a lack of accountability.

Bringing the Healthcare Professionals Together

To bring Connie and Dr. Smith together, the following strategies can be employed:

Open Dialogue: Facilitate an open dialogue between Connie and Dr. Smith to encourage them to express their concerns, perspectives, and expectations. This can be done in a neutral and non-confrontational setting, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and shared decision-making in patient care.

Active Listening and Empathy: Encourage active listening and empathy between Connie and Dr. Smith to foster understanding and mutual respect. Each party should have the opportunity to express their viewpoints and concerns without interruptions or judgments.

Give and Take for Nurse and Physician

Examples of give and take for the nurse and physician include:

Sharing Information: The nurse provides accurate and timely information about medication changes and patient care to the physician, while the physician acknowledges the nurse’s expertise and insights.

Collaboration in Decision-Making: The nurse and physician engage in shared decision-making processes, considering each other’s perspectives and expertise in formulating patient care plans.

Achieving Positive Results

Promoting give and take between the nurse and physician can lead to positive results for the healthcare team, such as:

Improved Communication: Effective communication enhances teamwork and reduces conflicts, ensuring efficient and safe patient care delivery.

Enhanced Patient Outcomes: Collaboration and shared decision-making contribute to improved patient outcomes by incorporating the expertise of both the nurse and physician in the care process.

Proposing a Formal or Informal Agreement

To address the issues identified in the scenario, a formal or informal agreement can be proposed. This agreement should outline expectations for communication, collaboration, and accountability between the nurse and physician. It may include regular meetings to discuss patient care, information sharing protocols, and a commitment to respectful and collaborative interactions.

Encouraging Commitment to the Agreement

To encourage commitment to the proposed agreement, the following strategies can be utilized:

Education and Training: Provide education and training on effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork to enhance understanding and commitment to the agreed-upon principles.

Leadership Support: Seek support from organizational leaders to reinforce the importance of collaboration and foster a culture that values teamwork and respectful communication.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the scenario highlights the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and respect between healthcare professionals. Violations of values and ethics can hinder teamwork and compromise patient care. By promoting open dialogue, active listening, empathy, give and take, and proposing formal or informal agreements, healthcare professionals can work together to achieve positive results for the healthcare team and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.