Effects of training on knowledge and attitudes of coronary care unit nurses in relation to teamwork: A quasi-experimental study

Teamwork has special significance in patient safety and quality of care in the coronary care units (CCUs). This study aimed to determine the impact of training on attitudes and knowledge of CCU nurses about teamwork. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the CCUs of Al-Zahra Cardiovascular Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. Participants included 70 nurses with a mean age of 31.33 +/- 4.56 years. They were divided into experimental and control groups. Data were collected at the baseline and one month after an intervention using a teamwork knowledge test and Teamwork Attitude Questionnaire. The intervention involved a 4-hour workshop on teamwork. Data were analyzed via SPSS 16.0, using descriptive statistics, chi-square, paired t-test, and independent samples t-test. The mean overall teamwork attitude score of the experimental group following intervention (125.5 +/- 12.56) had statistically significant differences from the baseline (110.4 +/- 12.6) and the mean score of the control group (112.11 +/- 15.17) (P < .001). Furthermore, the mean scores of attitude dimensions improved significantly, except for mutual support and situation monitoring. In addition, in relation to teamwork knowledge, the experimental group had a significantly higher mean score after the intervention (18.6 +/- 4.35) compared with the baseline (13.14 +/- 4.25) and the control group (14.8 +/- 4.07) (P < .001). Training improved knowledge and attitudes of CCU nurses in relation to teamwork. Considering the critical role of mutual support and situation monitoring in nursing performance, we should place more emphasis on them in nursing education and practice.