Studying Teamwork and Recovery in Intensive Care Units to Support Staff Wellbeing and Patient Safety An Observational Study Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

What This Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how healthcare professionals collaborate in intensive care units ICUs, focusing on teamwork practices, challenges, and changes since the COVID-19 pandemic. The study observes daily work and explores factors influencing teamwork to support staff resilience and patient safety. It is an observational ethnographic study conducted in multiple ICUs. Participants include healthcare professionals working in selected ICU sites. Researchers will shadow staff during their shifts, observing various interactions such as handovers, ward rounds, and team meetings. Observations occur in 20-minute blocks to reduce burden. In addition, one-on-one interviews with at least 15 healthcare professionals per site will be conducted to gather detailed insights into teamwork experiences. During the study, researchers will collect and analyze fieldnotes and interview transcripts using thematic analysis to identify patterns in teamwork. Observations and interviews will be recorded with consent and anonymized for privacy. The main outcome is to examine changes in teamwork over 12 months after the pandemic. Participants contribute through observation and interviews over four weeks, supporting a comprehensive understanding of ICU teamwork.

Teamwork for Resilient Staff and Safe Care in ICU