Nurse-Physician Collaboration: Paving the Way Through Education

Education of physicians and nurses and their socialization into the healthcare system in the United States (US) and across the globe offers opportunities for improvement in relationship building and knowledge transfer.  While there are rigorous standards in place for accreditation of both medical and nursing schools in the US, there is limited collaboration between these professions during these processes despite the significant role each of the professions plays in the outcomes of the other in acute healthcare settings.   In countries outside the US with medical schools and nursing with “western standards”, there are infrastructures and processes in place that assure quality of education and practice.   In less industrialized countries with less resources and a lack of governmental infrastructure, the healthcare system is oftentimes disorganized and does not have a well established system of education of physicians and nurses.   Oftentimes those interested in pursing a medical education are sent outside the country for education.   Nurses in these same countries are educated but the education is limited in breadth and depth leading to a lack of knowledge and skills needed for the role of caregiver.  This presenter will compare and contrast the education models of nurses and physicians in the US and abroad, discuss outcomes and the process for socialization into the healthcare system.   In addition, leading practices to improve physician nurse partnerships and shared outcomes will be discussed and recommendations for implementation offered.