A pilot study protocol of a relational coordination training intervention among healthcare professionals in an Army medical center.

Background: As patient care becomes more complex, high-quality communication and relationships among healthcare professionals are critical to coordinating care. Relational coordination (RC), a process of high-quality communication supported by shared goals, shared knowledge, and mutual respect, is positively associated with better patient (e.g., quality of care) and staff (e.g., job satisfaction, and retention) outcomes. A few researchers have found that communication skills training improves RC in civilian hospitals. However, researchers have not tested the feasibility of conducting communication skills training based on the RC framework among healthcare professionals in military hospitals. To address this gap, we propose conducting an RC training intervention in a military hospital. The primary aim of the proposed pilot study is to determine the feasibility (e.g., recruitment, retention, and completion rates) of conducting an RC training intervention in an Army medical center. The secondary aim is to explore the acceptability and usability of the RC training intervention. We will also explore changes in RC, quality of care, job satisfaction, and intent to stay among participants following the RC training intervention.

Methods: A single-group feasibility study will be conducted among nurses and physicians from three units (intensive care unit, medical-surgical, and labor and delivery unit). A convenience sample of licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), resident physicians, and physicians from the participating units will be invited to complete a 1-h RC training intervention once a month for 3 months. Participants will complete RC, quality of care, job satisfaction, and intent to stay measures at baseline and 2 weeks after each RC training intervention session. To assess the feasibility of conducting an RC training intervention, we will examine recruitment/retention rates, intervention session completion rates, and survey measure completion rates. Acceptability will be assessed qualitatively through focus group interviews, and results will be used to refine the intervention and determine if the selected measures align with participant experiences. For our secondary aim, we will explore the acceptability of the RC training intervention through focus group interviews. We will also explore changes in outcome measures using descriptive statistics with 95% confidence intervals.

Discussion: Findings will establish the feasibility and acceptability of conducting an RC intervention in a military hospital and inform refinement of the intervention and study procedures prior to conducting a larger randomized controlled trial to establish efficacy.