Seven actions to overcome barriers to team communication in healthcare
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Teach effective communication strategies | Teaching structured methods of communication, such as ‘SBAR’ handovers, can improve patient outcomes. |
| Train teams together | Teams that work together should train together. Training that includes all members of the team improves outcomes. |
| Train teams using simulation | Using simulation is a safe way to practice new communication techniques, and it increases interdisciplinary understanding. |
| Define inclusive teams | Redefine the team of healthcare professionals from a collection of disciplines to a cohesive whole with common goals. |
| Create democratic teams | Each member of the team should feel valued; creating flat hierarchies encourages open team communication. |
| Support teamwork with protocols and procedures | Use procedures that encourage information sharing among the whole team, such as checklists, briefings and IT solutions. |
| Develop an organisational culture supporting healthcare teams | Senior champions and department heads must recognise the imperative of interprofessional collaboration for safety. |