Location

Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay Regional Campus

Event Type

Presentation

Start Date

12-7-2025 8:00 AM

End Date

December 2025

Description

Purpose

This study explores the impact of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between nurses and occupational therapists (OTs) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It investigates the process of collaboration and stakeholder perceptions of interprofessional teamwork. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of IPC in the NICU setting, specifically between nurses and OTs, and to identify barriers that might hinder optimal collaboration.

Methods

A single survey instrument was distributed via social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) and completed by 47 participants (21 Nurses, 26 Occupational therapists). The survey, created using REDCap, included scaled items from the Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale II (AITCS-II), which measured categories of (a) partnership; (b) cooperation; and (c) coordination. It also featured open-ended questions to gain further insight into participants’ experiences, perceptions of roles, and communication practices within our focused categories. In total, the survey consisted of 51 questions, including (a) 16 multiple-choice questions addressing demographics; (b) 23 Likert-scale questions; and (c) nine open-ended response questions designed to collect subjective data. The Likert-scaled responses were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test in SPSS, while the open-ended responses were examined through text concordance analysis.

Results

This study examined IPC in a neonatal intensive care unit setting, utilizing the AITCS-II and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare responses between nurses and OTs. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed statistical differences in how often nurses and OTs reported including patients in setting care goals (z = 2.07, p = .039, r = 0.30), with nurses indicating more frequent inclusion (M = 4.29) than OTs (M = 3.73). Similarly, a statistical difference was established in the frequency of meetings between nurses and OTs to discuss patient care (z = 2.23, p = .026, r = .30), with nurses reporting more frequent meetings (M = 4.90) than OTs (M = 4.38). Text-based responses revealed discrepancies between survey scores and lived experiences, with barriers including role misunderstandings, generational resistance, and communication challenges, particularly across shifts. Both professions expressed a strong desire for improved interdisciplinary communication and education, frequently citing the need for more frequent meetings and elaborated role definitions. Although trust and mutual respect were evident, collaboration was not always equally experienced. These findings highlight the complexity of IPC in NICUs and underscore the need for strategies to enhance role clarity, communication, and coordination among healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the complexity of IPC in NICU settings by combining quantitative survey data with text-based reflections from nurses and OTs. Although the survey scores indicated high levels of satisfaction, the open-ended responses revealed notable discrepancies, suggesting that the numerical results may not fully capture participants’ actual experiences. These findings highlight the need for clearer survey questions and more effective response options, as well as further research aimed at enhancing role clarity, communication, and collaboration in critical care environments.

Keywords

interprofessional collaboration, neonatal intensive care unit, nursing, occupational therapy, partnership, coordination

Comments

Thank you to Dr. Amanda Pignon for generously sharing her expertise and guidance on the NICU throughout this research project!

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Dec 7th, 8:00 AM Dec 7th, 12:00 PM

Impact of Interprofessional Collaboration on Nurses and Occupational Therapists in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay Regional Campus

Purpose

This study explores the impact of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between nurses and occupational therapists (OTs) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It investigates the process of collaboration and stakeholder perceptions of interprofessional teamwork. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of IPC in the NICU setting, specifically between nurses and OTs, and to identify barriers that might hinder optimal collaboration.

Methods

A single survey instrument was distributed via social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) and completed by 47 participants (21 Nurses, 26 Occupational therapists). The survey, created using REDCap, included scaled items from the Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale II (AITCS-II), which measured categories of (a) partnership; (b) cooperation; and (c) coordination. It also featured open-ended questions to gain further insight into participants’ experiences, perceptions of roles, and communication practices within our focused categories. In total, the survey consisted of 51 questions, including (a) 16 multiple-choice questions addressing demographics; (b) 23 Likert-scale questions; and (c) nine open-ended response questions designed to collect subjective data. The Likert-scaled responses were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test in SPSS, while the open-ended responses were examined through text concordance analysis.

Results

This study examined IPC in a neonatal intensive care unit setting, utilizing the AITCS-II and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare responses between nurses and OTs. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed statistical differences in how often nurses and OTs reported including patients in setting care goals (z = 2.07, p = .039, r = 0.30), with nurses indicating more frequent inclusion (M = 4.29) than OTs (M = 3.73). Similarly, a statistical difference was established in the frequency of meetings between nurses and OTs to discuss patient care (z = 2.23, p = .026, r = .30), with nurses reporting more frequent meetings (M = 4.90) than OTs (M = 4.38). Text-based responses revealed discrepancies between survey scores and lived experiences, with barriers including role misunderstandings, generational resistance, and communication challenges, particularly across shifts. Both professions expressed a strong desire for improved interdisciplinary communication and education, frequently citing the need for more frequent meetings and elaborated role definitions. Although trust and mutual respect were evident, collaboration was not always equally experienced. These findings highlight the complexity of IPC in NICUs and underscore the need for strategies to enhance role clarity, communication, and coordination among healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the complexity of IPC in NICU settings by combining quantitative survey data with text-based reflections from nurses and OTs. Although the survey scores indicated high levels of satisfaction, the open-ended responses revealed notable discrepancies, suggesting that the numerical results may not fully capture participants’ actual experiences. These findings highlight the need for clearer survey questions and more effective response options, as well as further research aimed at enhancing role clarity, communication, and collaboration in critical care environments.