Date of Award

Summer 2026

Abstract

Abstract 

Background: Effective communication among interdisciplinary team members is essential for safe, coordinated patient care. An outpatient primary care clinic identified inconsistent and non-inclusive communication within assigned micro-teams, particularly between nurses and providers, creating an opportunity to implement a structured communication strategy.

Local Problem: Communication within micro-teams lacked a standardized process, and nurses were often excluded from routine communication with providers. Prior to implementation, no formal micro-team huddles had occurred within the previous six months.

Methods: A four-week quality improvement initiative was conducted using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework. Weekly, micro-team huddles were implemented between nurses, providers, and the medical assistant assigned to the provider that day. Process measures included huddle completion, duration, and medical assistant participation. Outcome measures consisted of pre- and post-intervention surveys assessing perceived communication using selected items adapted from the TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Perceptions Questionnaire (T-TPQ). Qualitative feedback was also collected to identify implementation barriers and staff perceptions.

Intervention: Staff received education regarding the purpose and expectations of the intervention prior to implementation. Nurses initiated weekly micro-team huddles throughout the four-week implementation period, with adherence monitored through a standardized tracking system.

Results: Process data demonstrated variability in huddle completion across implementation, while huddle duration remained brief, averaging one to four minutes. Post-intervention survey findings indicated improved perceptions of communication, particularly regarding the effectiveness of micro-team huddles and their efficient use of time. Qualitative feedback described improved provider-nurse communication, increased rapport among team members, and more consistent opportunities for communication. Reported barriers included staffing demands, provider availability, the residency program structure, and the need to integrate huddles into routine workflow.

Conclusions: Weekly micro-team huddles were a feasible, low-cost intervention associated with improved staff perceptions of communication within an outpatient primary care clinic. Embedding structured communication into daily workflow may improve sustainability and support interdisciplinary collaboration in similar clinical settings.

Document Type

Capstone

First Advisor

Elizabeth Evans

Second Advisor

Pamela Kallmerten

College or School

CHHS

Department or Program

DEMN

Degree Name

Master of Arts

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