IMPLEMENTATION OF STRUCTURED MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM TRAINING FOR NEONATAL RESUSCITATION

Objectives: To explore the experiences of participants following structured multidisciplinary team training and identify challenges towards its implementation in postgraduate training. Study Design: Qualitative case study research. Place and Duration of Study: Pak-Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Oct 2017 to Mar 2018. Methodology: The multi disciplinary team training was structured according to Ostergaard et al (2008) framework and comprised of pre-reading task, mini lecture, demonstration, reflective discussion using bad and good multi disciplinary teamwork videos followed by simulation-based exercise (briefing, immersion, debriefing and feedback). Four training sessions were conducted with four multidisciplinary teams, each comprising of residents from Paediatrics, Gynaecology/Obstetrics and Anaesthesia and a nurse. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all the participants (n=16). Data were transcribed and verbatims were thematically analysed using O'Sullivan and Irby (2008) model. Results: The participants were predominantly females (81.25%) with age range of 20-30 (62.5%) years. The multi-disciplinary team training resulted in increased interest, technical competence, and communication skills. The participants reported improvement in decision-making and development as team member/leader. They experienced interprofessional learning. Some personnel, systemic and resources related challenges towards its implementation were also identified. Conclusion: This study found that a structured multidisciplinary team training of postgraduate residents and nurses in neonatal resuscitation is worthwhile. The potential benefits such as improved competence, commu-nication skills and decision-making abilities outweigh the personnel, systematic and resources related challenges. Future studies should consider multidisciplinary team training of healthcare professionals. Keywords: , , ,