The study by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is published in the Journal of Interprofessional Care.

In the study, CU Anschutz researchers collaborated with international colleagues to explore the experience of doctors working in “clinical microsystems” – small closely knit healthcare teams that work together daily to provide care for patients. The findings suggest that frequent in-person interaction between doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals can significantly enhance patients’ outcomes and streamline hospital operations.

The researchers interviewed 51 resident doctors and hospitalists working at a large hospital. They identified three key factors that contribute to the success of clinical microsystems:

• Workflow efficiency: Doctors noted that being physically located in the same area as their team members helped them work more efficiently. When everyone is nearby, they said it was easier to share important information and address patient needs quickly.
• Strong work relationships: Frequent face-to-face interactions created a comfortable environment where healthcare professionals could openly discuss issues, leading to better teamwork and problem-solving.
• Communication preferences: While technology like pagers and secure messaging applications are increasingly used in healthcare settings, doctors expressed a preference for face-to-face communication. They felt that in-person conversations helped them better understand each other, tackle complex issues, and led to more effective use of digital communications later.

The current trend in hospitals and healthcare systems is an increased reliance on secure text messaging for communication.

“In healthcare, the way teams communicate with one another directly impacts the care of our patients,” said Katarzyna Mastalerz, MD, lead author and associate professor of hospital medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine at CU Anschutz. “Our research shows that when physicians have regular, in-person conversations with other team members, it builds trust and improves collaboration, which ultimately leads to faster and better care of patients.”

She added: “Secure text messaging is easy to use and efficient. But the recent rise of secure text messaging in hospitals also means that healthcare team members aren’t interacting and problem-solving face-to-face as often. This is likely to have a significant impact on teamwork and patient care.”

Mastalerz says the study has implications for hospital leaders, medical educators and healthcare providers looking to improve patient safety and care quality.