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Recommendations for creating a collaborative NICU environment to support teamwork and trainee education

Journal of Perinatology volume 43, pages 1520–1525 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

In a 2022 survey, a majority of neonatology program directors reported regular conflict between neonatal-perinatal fellows and frontline providers (FLPs) (i.e., neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs), neonatal physician assistants (PAs), and neonatal hospitalists). This paper reviews recommendations of a multidisciplinary workgroup for creating a more collaborative unit environment that supports teamwork and education. The self-study framework is a helpful tool to identify specific pressure points at individual institutions. Implementing clear guidelines for procedural distribution and role clarification are often critical interventions. FLPs and Pediatric Physician Trainees may benefit from conflict management coaching and communication training. At the same time, we recommend that respective leaders support a psychologically safe environment for team members to feel safe to solve problems on their own. Going forward, more work is important to optimize teamwork in the setting of anticipated staffing shortages, limitations to resident neonatology exposure, changes in training requirements, and ongoing development of the FLP role.

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Data availability

Data from the ONTPD survey which are referenced in this article are available at: 10 %7B62FB95B2-38A3-4155-B67B-40DAD51D9B8B%7D&file=2022%20ONTPD%20Annual%20Report.pdf&action= default.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA

    Krishelle Marc-Aurele

  2. Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Tonia Branche & Patrick Myers

  3. Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Aaron Adams

  4. Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    John Feister & Melissa Scala

  5. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA

    Kristine Boyle

  6. University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA

    Nicolle Fernández Dyess

  7. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Erin Keels

  8. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Heather French

  9. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Kristina Reber

  10. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA

    Mariam Susan LaTuga

  11. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Lindsay C. Johnston

  12. Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Oludare A. Odumade

Authors
  1. Krishelle Marc-Aurele
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  2. Tonia Branche
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  4. John Feister
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  5. Kristine Boyle
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  6. Melissa Scala
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Consortia

The Frontline Provider Interprofessional Writing Group (FLIP)

  • Krishelle Marc-Aurele
  • , Tonia Branche
  • , Aaron Adams
  • , John Feister
  • , Kristine Boyle
  • , Melissa Scala
  • , Nicolle Fernández Dyess
  • , Erin Keels
  • , Patrick Myers
  • , Heather French
  • , Kristina Reber
  • , Mariam Susan LaTuga
  • , Lindsay C. Johnston
  •  & Oludare A. Odumade

Contributions

MS conceptualized this project and convened the interprofessional working group. KM, KB, AA, TB, JF and MS drafted the initial manuscript. All authors critically reviewed and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Melissa Scala.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Marc-Aurele, K., Branche, T., Adams, A. et al. Recommendations for creating a collaborative NICU environment to support teamwork and trainee education. J Perinatol 43, 1520–1525 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01756-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01756-8

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