Interprofessional Collaboration in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU): An Action-Research Training Project

Summary

This study evaluates the impact of a structured interprofessional training program on daily collaboration within the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU/UTIC) at the University Hospital of Parma. In high-intensity clinical settings, rapid and accurate coordination between physicians, nurses, and healthcare assistants is vital. Ineffective teamwork often leads to communication breakdowns, potentially compromising patient safety and care quality. This project investigates whether an interactive, scenario-based educational program can strengthen role clarity, communication, and shared decision-making.

The study seeks to determine if an active-learning program using interactive branching scenarios improves interprofessional collaboration more effectively than traditional methods. The researchers hypothesize that this simulation-based approach will significantly enhance professional outcomes, including self-efficacy, shared decision-making, and commitment to both the team and the profession.

The study utilizes a convenience sample (approx. 5 physicians, 30 nurses, 8 healthcare assistants, and 10 students). Eligible participants include staff and students currently or recently active in the Parma CICU who provide informed consent.

The intervention is delivered via a Moodle-based platform featuring case-based simulations. These scenarios replicate complex clinical pathways, such as:

Cath-lab and Electrophysiology procedures.

Heart failure management.

TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) preparation.

As participants navigate these scenarios, they must make critical decisions and receive immediate feedback designed to reinforce collaborative best practices.

Data Collection and Timeline

Data is gathered at three intervals: T0 (Baseline), T1 (Post-training), and T2 (6-month follow-up). Validated questionnaires measure:

Attitudes toward physician-nurse collaboration.

Perceived daily collaboration and decision-making satisfaction.

Professional commitment and work-related self-efficacy.

The training phase spans six months, with a subsequent six-month follow-up, totaling a 24-month project duration.

Ethics and Privacy Risks are minimal, primarily involving the time required for participation. The primary benefit is the development of skills that foster safer, more coordinated patient care. Privacy is strictly maintained through pseudo-anonymization, with data access restricted to the research team.

Conditions

• Interprofessional Relations
• Interprofessional Education
• Attitude of Health Personnel
• Intensive Care Units
• Critical Care

Interventions

OTHER

The training phase of the project consists of an interactive course aimed at healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses and OSS) to improve their ability to recognise and enact effective collaborati

The branching scenarios replicate complex and common clinical situations that require effective interprofessional collaboration. Each scenario is carefully designed with detailed clinical and organisational elements, including the simulated patient's medical history and care pathway in the cath-lab and electrophysiology unit prior to a TAVI procedure, vital signs, diagnostic tests, available resources, clinical objectives, and potential critical issues. Scenarios are structured around a defined storyline and professional roles, and are divided into key phases with information, possible actions, and related consequences. Interactive elements allow learners to make decisions and engage with characters or objects, while meaningful feedback supports learning. Multiple pathways ensure a dynamic experience, supported by assessment criteria.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Santina Gavagni Principal Investigator · Parma University Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-15

Primary Completion

2028-02-15

Completion

2028-02-15

Countries

• Italy

Study Locations