Organizational determinants of information transfer in palliative care teams: A structural equation modeling approach
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Authors
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
03.06.2021
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Type
01A - Journal article
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Parent work
PLOS ONE
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DOI of the original publication
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Volume
16
Issue / Number
6
Pages / Duration
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Publisher / Publishing institution
Public Library of Science
Place of publication / Event location
San Francisco
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Abstract
Several organizational factors facilitate or hinder information transfer in palliative care teams. According to past research, organizational factors that reduce information transfer include the inconsistent use of shared electronic patient files, frequent changes of healthcare staff, a lack of opportunities for personal exchange, and a lack of evaluation of collaborative processes. Insufficient information sharing between professionals can negatively impact patient safety, whereas studies have shown that some organizational factors improve collaboration between professionals and thus contribute to improved patient outcomes. The main purpose of this study is thus to investigate whether, and if so how, organizational factors contribute to successful information exchange in palliative care teams in Switzerland, while also accounting for the different care contexts of primary and specialized palliative care. A nationwide survey was aimed at medical professionals working in palliative care. In total, 379 participants (mean age = 49.8 years, SD = 10.3) were included in this study. Two main outcome variables were examined: healthcare providers’ satisfaction with information transfer in their team and their overall satisfaction with communication in their team. Hypotheses were tested by employing structural equation modeling. Findings revealed that the strongest predictors for effective information transfer in palliative care teams were sufficient opportunities for face-to-face meetings and supervision alongside feedback tools to improve collaborative practices and the application of guidelines and standards for collaboration. Face-to-face meetings were an even greater contributor to information transfer in specialized settings, whereas sharing the same work-based values with colleagues was considered more important in primary settings. Results from this study contribute to the existing literature elucidating how information transfer is facilitated in the field of palliative care. If proposed measures are implemented, this could possibly improve patient outcomes in palliative care. Furthermore, the findings can be useful for healthcare organizations and associations to make more efficient resource allocation decisions with the aim to optimize information transfer within the workforce.
Keywords
Palliative care, Communications, Allied health care professionals, Health care providers, Primary care, Caregivers, Health care facilities, Nurses
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ISBN
ISSN
1932-6203
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Gold
License
Citation
Schweighoffer, R., Blaese, R., & Liebig, B. (2021). Organizational determinants of information transfer in palliative care teams: A structural equation modeling approach. Plos One, 16(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252637