Erin Kennedy1, Lorelei Lingard2, Christopher J Watling3, Roberto Hernandez Alejandro4, Jeanna Parsons Leigh5, Sayra M Cristancho6. 1. Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: ekhollin@uwo.ca. 2. Centre for Education Research & Innovation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Education, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. 3. Centre for Education Research & Innovation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. 4. Division of Transplantation/Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, New York, USA. 5. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. 6. Centre for Education Research & Innovation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Education, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In surgical environments, work must be flexible, allowing practitioners to seek help when required. How surgeons navigate the complexity of interprofessional teams and collaborative care whilst attending to their own knowledge/skill gaps can be difficult. This study aims to understand helping behaviours in interprofessional surgical teams. DESIGN: Thirteen semi-structured interviews with participants were completed. Data collection and inductive analysis were conducted iteratively using thematic analysis. RESULTS: We found several intersecting features that influenced helping engagement. Work context, including nested and cross-sectional identities, physical and hierarchical environments, diversity, support for risk-taking and innovation and perceptions of a "speak up" culture shaped the way helping scenarios were approached. Intrinsic attributes influenced decisions to dis/engage. When united, these features shaped how helping behaviours became enacted. CONCLUSION: If we desire to create surgical teams that deliver quality care, we must consider not only individual attributes but the context in which teams are situated.
OBJECTIVE: In surgical environments, work must be flexible, allowing practitioners to seek help when required. How surgeons navigate the complexity of interprofessional teams and collaborative care whilst attending to their own knowledge/skill gaps can be difficult. This study aims to understand helping behaviours in interprofessional surgical teams. DESIGN: Thirteen semi-structured interviews with participants were completed. Data collection and inductive analysis were conducted iteratively using thematic analysis. RESULTS: We found several intersecting features that influenced helping engagement. Work context, including nested and cross-sectional identities, physical and hierarchical environments, diversity, support for risk-taking and innovation and perceptions of a "speak up" culture shaped the way helping scenarios were approached. Intrinsic attributes influenced decisions to dis/engage. When united, these features shaped how helping behaviours became enacted. CONCLUSION: If we desire to create surgical teams that deliver quality care, we must consider not only individual attributes but the context in which teams are situated.