Strategies or tools that can facilitate information sharing and effective communication in interprofessional health care settings

A (Assessment): State your clinical conclusion or what you think the problem is.

R (Recommendation): State clearly what you need from the recipient or what action should be taken.

Facilitation: SBAR enforces clarity and efficiency, ensuring that all necessary details are communicated logically, regardless of the sender's profession (nurse, physician, therapist). This standardization breaks down discipline-specific jargon barriers and promotes a common language.

2. Shared Electronic Health Records (EHRs) 💻

Tool: A centralized, accessible, digital system for patient data.

Description: A shared EHR system, such as Epic or Cerner, serves as the single, authoritative source of truth for a patient's medical information, including progress notes, lab results, medications, and care plans, which are instantly accessible across different departments and provider groups.

Facilitation:

Real-Time Data Access: Eliminates delays and errors associated with paper charts or phone calls, ensuring every team member (e.g., the pharmacist, physical therapist, and physician) is working from the most current data at all times.

Interprofessional Documentation: Allows various providers to document their specific interventions and observations in a unified, chronological record. This shared documentation improves transparency regarding roles, responsibilities, and actions taken, minimizing duplication of effort and enhancing coordinated care planning.

Sample Answer

Two key strategies that facilitate information sharing and effective communication in interprofessional healthcare settings are Structured Communication Tools and Shared Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

1. Structured Communication Tools (e.g., SBAR) 🗣️

Strategy: Using standardized formats for transmitting critical patient information.

Description: Structured tools provide a framework for organizing and relaying information concisely and completely, minimizing the risk of omission or misinterpretation during handoffs, consultations, or urgent situations. The most widely adopted example is SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation).

S (Situation): Briefly state the current problem or what's happening now.

B (Background): Provide relevant context (patient's history, current medications, previous test results).