Should we start training doctors and nurses together?

In restructuring my newsletters, the topics I write about and research will be broader, as will the societal challenges. They will reflect my (current) thinking and explorations and the topics I address in my lectures and keynotes, as they do in actual transformation processes. Often ignored by one post, news or remark someone made, I'll dive deeper into the topic, also trying to take multiple perspectives since nuance is on the ballot nowadays. I would love to hear your feedback and remarks in the comments !

If you'd rather listen to a podcast (created by NotebookLM) on this : https://share.transistor.fm/s/acbb7921

So here's my take on this. I also could've considered why we should NOT do this, but that's for another post. I wanted to ignite a discussion about this. Let me know what YOUR thoughts are in the comments.

Training doctors and nurses separately can be problematic because it can lead to challenges in teamwork, communication, and understanding each other’s roles, all of which are essential for effective patient care. Here’s why separate training could be limiting and why some experts advocate for more integrated interprofessional education:

1. Teamwork and Collaboration Issues

• In healthcare, patient care often relies on collaboration among doctors, nurses, and other professionals. Separate training can reinforce role silos, making it harder for these professionals to work effectively as a team. Joint training helps them learn to value each other’s contributions and understand how to collaborate on patient-centered care.

2. Communication Barriers

• Effective communication is critical in healthcare to prevent errors and ensure smooth care transitions. If doctors and nurses are trained separately, they may use different terminology or have different communication styles, leading to misunderstandings or inefficiencies in patient care. Interprofessional training promotes clearer, more unified communication.

3. Lack of Understanding of Each Other’s Roles

• Without integrated training, doctors and nurses might lack an understanding of each other’s roles, strengths, and limitations. This can lead to unrealistic expectations or underutilization of skills, where doctors might not fully recognize the autonomy and expertise of nurses, or vice versa. Training together builds mutual respect and role awareness.

4. Reduced Patient-Centered Care

• Training with a singular focus (either on diagnosing and treating or on care management) can make it harder to adopt a holistic, patient-centered approach. When doctors and nurses train together, they are more likely to center their practices around patient needs, integrating both treatment and compassionate care.

5. Increased Risk of Errors

• Studies suggest that medical errors often result from miscommunication or lack of coordination. Training doctors and nurses separately may contribute to these risks, as each group might not fully appreciate the importance of shared decision-making or may miss vital cues from the other. Integrated training can reduce these risks by fostering joint problem-solving and shared responsibility.

6. Barrier to Healthcare System Improvements

• Healthcare is moving towards a more integrated model where multidisciplinary teams are the norm. Separate training can hinder this progress, as professionals may enter the workforce unprepared for collaborative models. Integrated training prepares them better for real-world settings, where teamwork is crucial.

Moving Toward Interprofessional Education

To address these challenges, many healthcare programs are now introducing interprofessional education (IPE), where doctors, nurses, and other health professionals train together on shared competencies like communication, ethics, teamwork, and patient-centered care. This approach enhances collaborative skills and prepares healthcare professionals for a more cohesive, effective, and responsive healthcare system.

Sources :

1. World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO’s Framework for Action on Interprofessional Education & Collaborative Practice outlines strategies to implement IPE globally, aiming to enhance health systems and patient care. (World Health Organization)

2. Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC IPEC provides core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice, serving as guidelines for integrating IPE into health professions education. (AAMC)

3. BMC Medical Education. The article Interprofessional education: tips for design and implementation offers practical advice for developing and executing IPE programs. (BMC Medical Education)

4. Journal of Interprofessional Care. This peer-reviewed journal publishes research and developments in interprofessional education and practice, contributing to the evidence base supporting IPE. (Wikipedia)