An Integrative Review: Nurse-Physician Collaboration and Patient Outcome

Morteza Alibakhshi Kenari

Martyr Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran

Dr. Morteza Alibakhshi Kenari, Martyr Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran

Keywords: Physician Collaboration; Patient Outcome; Healthy Work Environment; Infections; Critical Care; Patient Safety

Abstract

There is significant evidence supporting the inverse relationship of nurse-physician collaboration to patient outcomes. Through an extensive review of current literature and recent studies from 2013-2018, our research explores the collaboration between nurse and physician and patient outcomes in critically ill adults. Communication in the nurse-physician realm has yet to be fully understood. This is significant for nursing because nurses not only serve as an advocate for the patient but also collaborate very closely with the physician. The results predominantly indicate that collaboration has an influence on hospital acquired infections (ventilator associated pneumonia, central line associated bloodstream infections, and pressure ulcers), length of stay and medications errors. The evidence is present that as communication improves, patient outcomes improve as well.

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