Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
In healthcare the medical hierarchy holds in place a
constrictive and suppressive communication environment. As
healthcare professionals communicatively function in this
suppressive environment, promiscuous conversations prevail. In
that healthcare professionals learn repetitive type communication
patterns which are at times random turns in dialogues which for the
purpose of this discussion I am naming promiscuous conversations.
The conversations are promiscuous in the sense that as one speaks
there is often a lack of awareness for what the conversation may
cause in relationship to following or socially constructed events
within the healthcare space. We function within the parameters of
what we know to be acceptable within our roles. And, due to this
conundrum of role appropriate behavior often subordinates in
particular within this space predictably hold back from the
conversation and alter what may need to be said. Thus, many
stories remain untellable, untold, unheard and unknown.
I believe that within healthcare we need to continue to visit
our communication patterns to be able to understand and dissolve
ineffective patient care delivery behaviors. In, addition we need to
rethink our curriculums and professional learning to include
interactive communicative spaces where all professionals come
together as collaborative learners and teammates.
Next Steps
New study. A new study was developed as a recreation of the
previously described study and was IRB approved, Winter of 2007
at 6 acute care sites in the Midwest, U.S. Sixty-eight interviews
have been collected using participants of nurses, physicians,
technologists and nonclinical personnel across the six operating
rooms.
CMM summit, and simulation and team learning. After a
preliminary analysis it is obvious that the various groups of
professionals and individuals within these groups have varied ideas
about what it means to be a culture of safety within healthcare.
First steps will be to develop a CMM summit using a co-joint (i.e.,
there will be representation from all of the varying professional
groups on the OR team) meaning making session to bring forth
what it means to be a culture of safety, December, 2007. The first
group session will incorporate the staff at one of the tertiary medical
centers. The intent is to replicate this summit at the additional five
acute care sites.
It is also evident from the original and current study that as
the team members communicate there is a need for safe spaces to
share their stories, a place where individuals feel comfortable and
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