Which strategy is a key approach for improving interprofessional collaboration on a patient care team?

• A. Rely on individual departments to operate independently.
• B. Use only electronic health records to coordinate.
• C. Structured interprofessional rounds, shared goals, mutual respect, and clear communication; utilize TeamSTEPPS.
• D. Increase physician control and reduce nurse input.

Answer: (C)

Effective teamwork on patient care teams comes from structured, proactive interprofessional collaboration rather than relying on silos or technology alone. The best strategy is to implement structured interprofessional rounds, align the team around shared goals, foster mutual respect, and uphold clear communication, using TeamSTEPPS as the guiding framework. Structured rounds create predictable moments for input from nurses, physicians, pharmacists, therapists, and others, helping the group align on the plan and surface safety concerns early. Shared goals ensure everyone works toward the same patient outcomes, which reduces conflicting actions and duplication of effort. Mutual respect makes it safe for every professional to voice concerns, ask questions, and contribute expertise, which is essential for patient safety. Clear communication uses standardized approaches—such as SBAR and brief/huddle/debrief routines—to ensure critical information is conveyed accurately and understood by all. TeamSTEPPS provides evidence-based strategies to train teams in these behaviors, reinforcing how collaboration translates into better care. Relying on independent departments, relying on EHRs alone for coordination, or increasing physician control at the expense of nurse input undermines teamwork and safety, because true collaboration depends on ongoing, organized, cross-disciplinary communication and shared accountability.