THE INFLUENCE OF TEAM DYNAMIC AND NURSE-PHYSICIAN COLLABORATION ON PATIENT SAFETY CULTURE AMONG CRITICAL CARE UNITS NURSES IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Patient safety culture is critical in high-pressure environments like critical care units, where team dynamics and nurse-physician collaboration profoundly influence outcomes.

Aim: This study examines the influence of team dynamic and nurse-physician collaboration on patient safety culture among critical care nurses in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in five Saudi hospitals using convenient sampling of 145 participants. Data were collected through electronic surveys utilizing the Primary Care Team Dynamics Survey, Nurse-Physician Collaboration Scale, and Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture, along with demographic data.

Results: A total of 145 critical care nurses from Saudi Arabian hospitals participated in the study. The participants’ age ranged from 24 to 39 years, with a mean age of 31.03 years (SD = 4.332), and 121 participants were females (83.4%) and 24 were male (16.6%). Team dynamics were found to be high, with a mean score of 118.20 (SD = 27.34). Nurse–physician collaboration was moderate (M = 79.21, SD = 17.77). The results showed statistically significant differences in patient safety culture based on shift type (F = 4.329, p = 0.015), while gender and education level were not significant. There was a strong relationship between team dynamics, nurse-physician collaboration, and most dimensions of patient safety culture (P ≤ 0.01), except for communication openness, hospital management support, and handoffs/information exchange (P > 0.05). Regression analysis revealed predictors of patient safety culture included age, marital status, monthly income, years of experience, shift pattern, patient load, team dynamics, and nurse-physician collaboration.

Conclusion: Critical care nurses in Saudi Arabia perceived their team dynamics as effective and nurse-physician collaboration as moderate. Although collaboration exists, further efforts are needed to foster cohesive teamwork and enhance patient safety culture in critical care settings.