Congress Abstracts 2004

42

EXPLORATION INTO THE NATURE OF COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR PHYSICIAN COLLEAGUES. Beth Knox, RN, NP-C, AOCN^®, Margaret Joyce, RN, MSN, AOCN^®, Loleta Samuel O’Garro, RN, MSN, AOCN^®, Susan Pillet, RN, MSN, Rita Musanti, RN, MSN, AOCN^®, Judith Much, RN, MSN, AOCN^®, and Beth Savage, RN, MSN, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ.

The role of the advanced practice nurse (APN) has now become “specialized.” As a result, some have chosen to engage in collaborative practice with medical oncologists. At the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), the APN plays a key role in providing care to clients participating in clinical trials.

Building successful collaborative relationships is important to achieving an outcome of providing quality patient care. APNs demonstrate leadership by sharing their knowledge with their colleagues.

In early 2002, the APNs at CINJ held a retreat focused on team building. One of the role dis-satisfiers identified was related to the nature of collaborative practice. A working group of APNs was formed with the stated purpose of solidifying collaborative relationships and developing an exemplary model of collaboration and teamwork.

A literature review revealed a paucity on the subject in oncology; however, it was clear from existing literature that the decision to enter into a collaborative practice must be intentional and not one of administrative convenience. A survey was developed that included demographic information and questions probing into both the task and process of collaborative practice. The survey was piloted to a small sample of APNs and physicians on staff establishing validity and internal consistency. Surveys were distributed to 28 APN/MD collaborative practices. Survey response was 100% and 77% for the APNs and MDs respectively.

Data results were presented at the first APN/MD collaborative practice forum. Both APNs and MDs recognized the need for ongoing communication regarding the nature of collaborative practice. A subgroup of APNs and MDs was formed to address issues identified in both the survey and the open forum. Ongoing subgroup and other “open” forum meetings with the entire APN/MD staff are in progress. Repeat surveys will collect data to measure change over time.

The process of moving a large APN/MD group toward improved collaboration is a challenge. The goal of the APN/MD practitioners at CINJ is to develop enriched, satisfying collaborative practices that produce evidence-based collaborative practice guidelines to share with others.