Evaluate the Experiences and Needs of Interprofessional Practice for Neonatal Critical and Rare Diseasesin a RegionalTeaching Hospital in Taiwan

Wen-Ling Wang*1, Chia-Ju Li 1, Shu-Li Huang2, Chiung-Ying Huang 3, Chi-Nien Chen 4

1Department of Nursing, 2Department of Nutrition, 3Department of Rehabilitation, 4Department of Pediatrics

National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan

Introduction

Neonates with critical and rare diseases often have multiple organ abnormalities. During hospitalization, they need
comprehensive care from different professionals working together.Nursing staffs are always on the first line to take care of sick
children directly and for a long time. To provide the best and comprehensive medical care , it is especially important to assist
nursing staffs to understand the purpose of interprofessional practice care and how to effectively integrate the joint care of patients
from various health professionals. This study aims to understand of nurses’ baseline experience and needs evaluation to the
interprofessional care for neonates with critical and rare diseases.

Methods

This study was conducted between September to November 2022 in the National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch.
We applied the 16-item questionnaire of the IPEC Competency Self-Assessment Survey in Chinese version to assess the
self-experience of interprofessional practice of the nurses in our neonatal intensive care unit. In addition to the abovementioned
assessment, we also produce a video-enhaced program as a scenario simulation to show how interprofessional practice actually
execute in daily clinical practice. We planned and designed a case actually cared in our hospital before with a neonatal rare
disease as “congenital central hypoventilation syndrome with megacolon”. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of learning after
video scenario simulation program by Interprofessional Teamwork Care Behavior Scale.

Results

There were 22 NICU nurses complete the assessment, and the average scale score was

4.56/5 . In the scores for “able to use leadership to facilitate effective teamwork” and
“able to use strategies to improve teamwork and team care effectiveness”, 12 of our nurses
considered them have to be strengthened. In the feedback from the descriptive surveys, our
nursing colleagues pointed out that it is difficult to coordinate the time for other professions to
discuss together. In the results of Interprofessional Teamwork Care Behavior Scale, the scores
were lowest in the items of “Dealing with team conflict (4.28/5)” and “Explain the importance of
your profession (4.28/5)”. 

Conclusion

The implementation of the intervention program will improve the nursing staff's inadequacy of interprofessional practice. After
introducing the new educational program, our nursing staffs would be able to meet the care needs of the individual cases and
family members to improve the quality and effectiveness of medical care. To teach new nursing staff members to deal with team
conflicts will be key items in future interprofessional practice traning. This study results also could be a reference for future
interprofessional education and training.