Interdisciplinary collaboration: the role of the clinical nurse leader

Aims To explore the feasibility and acceptability of a clinical nurse leader (CNL) role to improve interdisciplinary collaboration (IC) within a fragmented acute-care microsystem. Background Fragmented patient care is associated with preventable adverse healthcare outcomes. IC decreases fragmentation and improves patient care quality. The CNL role is theorized to provide the necessary leadership and competency skill base to impact IC at the optimal organizational level, the point of care where most healthcare decisions are made. Methods This study used a descriptive non-experimental design. CNL daily workflow was developed to target empirical determinants of IC. Descriptive data were collected from multiple stakeholders using an investigator-developed survey. Results Findings indicate the integration of the role is feasible and acceptable to the microsystem healthcare team. Conclusions Preliminary evidence suggests the CNL role may be an effective intervention to facilitate IC. More research is needed to support the CNL roles association with microsystem IC. Implications for nursing management The CNL role presents an innovative opportunity for clinical and administrative leadership to partner together to redesign a healthcare delivery system and improve patient care quality.