A research study indicates that both patients and healthcare providers have a more positive experience when the entire healthcare team participates in bedside interdisciplinary rounds (BIDR).
According to research conducted at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, having the full healthcare team involved in bedside interdisciplinary rounds (BIDR) leads to better overall care experiences for both patients and providers.
This study was published today in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
The findings reveal that BIDR, which involves the healthcare team assembling at a patient’s bedside to discuss care strategies, fosters trust between patients and their providers, as well as among team members, by facilitating closer collaboration and observation.
“Conventional interdisciplinary rounds (IDR) involve a clinical care team coordinating patient care in a way that encourages collaboration in hospitals. BIDR enhances this process by bringing the team to the bedside and including patients and their families,” explained Katarzyna Mastalerz, MD, the lead author and an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “BIDR reformulates the traditional healthcare approach by promoting trust through open communication, teamwork, and patient-centered care where every voice is acknowledged, and every goal is shared.”
The researchers interviewed 14 patients and 18 members of interdisciplinary teams, which included nurses, pharmacists, and care coordinators.
Patients involved in BIDR felt positively about their engagement in the planning of their healthcare, which strengthened their trust in the providers. Healthcare professionals noted a rise in mutual respect and trust among team members, which contributed to improved patient care.
While the observations were largely encouraging, both patients and providers identified areas needing improvement to streamline the process.
For instance, some patients mentioned discomfort with the use of medical jargon and lack of clarity in communication about their treatment plans. On the other hand, providers reported challenges such as inadequate supportive structures for interprofessional collaboration and lengthy presentations from physicians.
“To create effective BIDR, we recommend that healthcare teams prioritize transparency by sharing objectives with patients, using plain language centered on the patient, clearly defining the roles of each team member, and actively incorporating real-time feedback from the team,” suggested Mastalerz. “Given the professional silos and busy workflows that often define hospital environments, it’s crucial for hospital leaders to acknowledge, support, and foster opportunities for teamwork among interprofessional groups.”
