Communication in the Interdisciplinary Health Team in Intensive Care: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Interdisciplinary communication is an essential component in intensive care. This is a specialized and multidimensional environment that requires continuous interaction among health team members. Effective communication is fundamental to patient outcomes, quality care, and safety. Objective: To describe the category "Communication: a key element for the interaction of nurses with the interdisciplinary team." Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory analytical tools as per Corbin and Strauss. Twelve nurses from an adult intensive care unit participated. The sample was determined by data and theoretical saturation. In-depth interviews were conducted. Results: Communication is a key element for nurses' interaction with the interdisciplinary team. The following subcategories emerged: involving the team in patient care, precise and consistent communication, understanding and building empathy, communicating with trust and respect, and communication interference. Conclusions: The participating nurses consider communication an essential process in their interaction with the interdisciplinary health team. It serves as a means to exchange information, make joint decisions, and is characterized by being constant and fluid. They also recognize situations where communication interference occurs.