Launching Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds: Insights for Hospital Leaders on the Importance of Upskilling Staff

Introduction

As healthcare systems continue to evolve toward patient-centered models, interdisciplinary bedside rounds (IBR) have become an increasingly popular practice. These rounds bring together healthcare professionals from various disciplines to collaborate on patient care directly at the bedside. While this approach offers numerous benefits, such as improving communication, enhancing patient outcomes, and fostering teamwork, the success of interdisciplinary rounds hinges on thorough staff training. Hospital leaders need to prioritize both online and in-person training to ensure effective implementation. This blog explores the key reasons why comprehensive staff preparation is essential for launching IBR, backed by recent peer-reviewed research.

The Role of Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds in Patient-Centered Care

Interdisciplinary bedside rounds provide an opportunity for all relevant healthcare professionals to engage directly with patients during decision-making processes. This patient-centered approach improves communication, ensuring that all members of the care team, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals, have a unified understanding of the patient’s condition and treatment plan.

Recent studies have shown that hospitals utilizing IBR experience improvements in patient satisfaction, fewer medical errors, and enhanced collaboration among teams. However, these benefits are not automatic and depend heavily on how well the staff is prepared to participate in interdisciplinary discussions.

Why Training Is Critical for Successful Implementation

1. Bridging Knowledge Gaps Across Disciplines

Healthcare professionals come from different educational backgrounds, and without training, gaps in knowledge and communication styles can hinder the success of IBR. For example, while a nurse might focus on immediate patient care, a pharmacist could prioritize medication management, and a physician may emphasize diagnosis and treatment plans. Without proper training, these different perspectives may lead to confusion or miscommunication. This is symptomatic of the silos that exist within healthcare education. It has been our experience with most clients that their different frontline teams have limited interactions with each other, and very rarely together in front of patients. They language they use is at times tailored to the recipient but is often specialist verbiage used within their own tribe.

Training sessions, both online and in-person, allow team members to better understand each other’s roles and contributions. Peer-reviewed research published in the *Journal of Hospital Medicine* highlighted the importance of pre-round training in aligning interdisciplinary teams, ensuring that all members can contribute effectively during rounds.

2. Enhancing Communication Skills

Effective communication is the backbone of successful IBR. However, many healthcare professionals have not received formal training in interdisciplinary communication. It has been our experience with most clients that clinical teams are used to presenting patients within their own peer group and during information handovers during for example a Rapid-Response Team (RRT) or Medical Emergency Team (MET) call. But usually it is the attending physician querying specific information or updating team members on emergent needs. Consequently when teams start IBRs, they lack the experience and confidence required to effectively and efficiently share their critical insights and updates to each other, with patients and families present, in plain-language.

A combination of online modules focused on communication strategies and in-person role-playing exercises can significantly enhance the team’s ability to engage in meaningful dialogue during rounds.

3. Building Confidence Through Simulation and Role-Playing

Many staff members may feel anxious about actively participating in interdisciplinary rounds, especially in front of patients and senior staff. We see this at every unit we work with.

In-person training, such as light simulation-based learning or role-playing scenarios, is key to enabling staff to practice their roles in a safe and supportive environment. This hands-on experience builds confidence and prepares teams to handle real-world challenges effectively. You can level-up the patient complexity and difficulty as needed.

Benefits of Combining Online and In-Person Training Approaches

Online training provides a flexible, scalable option for busy healthcare professionals. Modules can cover the theoretical aspects of IBR, such as communication techniques, understanding roles within the team, and patient-centered care principles. Online learning also allows staff to revisit content at their convenience, ensuring they fully grasp key concepts.

In-person training is crucial for developing the practical skills necessary for successful interdisciplinary rounds. Through workshops, simulation exercises, and team-building activities, healthcare professionals can apply the theoretical knowledge gained online in a real-world setting. In-person sessions also foster team bonding, which can further enhance collaboration during rounds.

Conclusion: Investing in Training for Sustainable Success

The transition to interdisciplinary bedside rounds offers significant benefits to both healthcare teams and patients, but its success is contingent on comprehensive staff training. By investing in both online and in-person training programs, hospital leaders can equip their teams with the knowledge, communication skills, and confidence needed to deliver the highest quality care.

By focusing on training, hospitals will not only improve the effectiveness of interdisciplinary rounds but also foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement—ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction.