TITLE:
Factors Affecting Team Collaboration among Ward Nurses: A Prospective Cohort Survey
AUTHORS:
Takae Machida, Maki Matsuo, Hiroko Kitajima
KEYWORDS:
Multidisciplinary Health Teams, Nurse Managers, Physician-Nurse Relation, Information Dissemination
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.16 No.1,
January
19,
2026
ABSTRACT: Interdisciplinary collaboration is being increasingly recognized for its potential to enhance patient care, necessitating a deeper understanding of the factors that influence team dynamics among ward nurses. This prospective cohort study aimed to identify key factors affecting team collaboration among ward nurses in the Kanto region of Japan, focusing on elements such as independence, opportunities to engage abilities, and positive ward atmosphere. These factors were chosen based on their potential to enhance communication and cohesion within teams, which are essential components for effective interdisciplinary collaboration. The study involved 840 nurses from six university and public hospitals, with data collected at baseline and six-month follow-up. Using a validated tool with a Cronbach’s α of 0.88, the mean team collaboration score was found to be 70.5 ± 8.5. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher collaboration scores were linked to greater independence in duties (β = 0.187, p = 0.001), opportunities to engage abilities (β = 0.122, p = 0.001), and a positive ward atmosphere (β = 0.094, p = 0.01), explaining 22% of the variance (adjusted R2 = 0.227). Based on these findings, policymakers should focus on creating supportive work environments that enhance nurses’ autonomy and opportunities for professional growth, which are critical for improving interdisciplinary collaboration and, ultimately, patient care outcomes.