RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Challenging behaviours in interprofessional teamwork in the intensive care unit: a qualitative content analysis of focus group interviews
JF BMJ Open
JO BMJ Open
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP e095341
DO 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095341
VO 15
IS 5
A1 Jonsson, Karin
A1 Brulin, Christine
A1 Hultin, Magnus
A1 Härgestam, Maria
YR 2025
UL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e095341.abstract
AB Objectives To explore interprofessional team members’ experiences of teamwork at an intensive care unit.Design Qualitative content analysis of focus group interviews with members from the intensive care teams.Setting University hospital in Sweden.Participants In total, 31 participants were interviewed. Enrolled nurses (n=7), critical care registered nurses (n=16), and intensive care physicians (n=8) employed at an intensive care unit were divided into nine focus groups organised according to the profession.Results The overall theme, Balancing behaviour and knowledge in teamwork, emerged from the two categories of creating a safe atmosphere when working in an unknown environment and counteracting and mitigating destructive team dynamics. The theme captures how well-functioning teamwork must take into account members not acting as team players while also building a secure environment when working in new surroundings outside the intensive care unit. The categories describe how mutual respect, effective teamwork and a safe atmosphere were fostered through support without taking over tasks and countering power structures.Conclusions Navigating teamwork during critical situations is inherently complex, making it essential to understand team interactions and factors influencing individual behaviour. To ensure patient safety, the interprofessional team must recognise, understand and manage diverse behaviours and knowledge in dynamic settings. This research contributes to existing knowledge on teamwork in the intensive care context by providing insights into how knowledge and behaviour in teamwork can be optimised to enhance patient safety.Data are available on reasonable request. Deidentified data are available on reasonable request. Contact the first author (KJ) by ORCID number 0000-0001-7974-6777. No reuse of the original data is permitted.