A study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that patients and providers have more positive care experiences when the entire healthcare team is involved in bedside interdisciplinary rounds (BIDR). Published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the study showed that BIDR, where the healthcare team meets at a patient’s bedside to discuss care plans, helps build trust between patients and providers, as well as within healthcare teams. Lead author Dr. Katarzyna Mastalerz, an associate professor of hospital medicine, explained that BIDR goes beyond traditional interdisciplinary rounds by involving patients and families in the care process, thus fostering trust through transparent communication, collaboration, and patient-centered care.
The study involved interviews with 14 patients and 18 members of interdisciplinary teams, including nurses, pharmacists, and care coordinators. Patients who participated in BIDR expressed positive feelings about being included in their healthcare plans, which enhanced their trust in providers. Healthcare professionals also reported improved respect and trust among colleagues, leading to better patient care outcomes. However, both patients and providers acknowledged that there is room for improvement to make the BIDR process more streamlined. Some patients mentioned feeling uncomfortable due to technical jargon and unclear communication, while providers faced challenges related to lack of supportive structures for interprofessional collaboration and lengthy physician presentations.
To enhance the effectiveness of BIDR, the researchers recommended using transparency to share goals with patients, utilizing accessible patient-centered language, clearly defining team roles for each member, and addressing team input in real time. With the often fragmented nature of hospitals and the fast-paced workflow, it is crucial for hospital leadership to recognize, support, and create opportunities for collaborative work by interprofessional teams. By implementing these strategies, healthcare teams can improve communication, collaboration, and patient-centered care, ultimately leading to more positive care experiences for patients and providers alike.
Overall, the study highlighted the importance of involving patients and the entire healthcare team in bedside interdisciplinary rounds to promote trust, transparency, and collaboration. By bringing the team to the patient’s bedside and including the patient in care discussions, BIDR has the potential to transform the traditional healthcare model and improve overall care experiences. Despite some challenges identified by patients and providers, there is a clear opportunity to enhance the BIDR process through improved communication, role delineation, and real-time feedback, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and increased satisfaction among healthcare professionals.