145 6.2.1 Role Clarity and Expectations

Role clarification:

• Interdisciplinary team members understand their individual roles and roles of their colleagues
• Is an essential component of high performing teams
• Facilitates effective workflows, communication, and collaboration
• High performing teams have ongoing communication to clarify roles^[1]

Communication strategies for role clarification:

• Formal written communication to team members
• Informal communication strategies
• Team meetings
• Presentations

PEPPA Framework:

• Provides a framework to guide NP role clarification
• Provides a framework to guide ongoing evaluation of the NP role
• Facilitates the development of the policies and protocols that define pieces of the NP role^[2]

Potential barriers for achieving NP role clarity:

• The NP role is constantly evolving in response to the changing needs of the population
• NP practice overlaps with the care provided by physicians and nursing
• Varying scopes of practice for NPs
• The LTC homes level of experience working with NPs
• Lack of acceptance by the physicians and other team members

Poor role clarity outcomes:

• Conflict amongst fellow colleagues
• Duplication in services that increase costs associated with care delivery
• Decreased quality of care because professional roles are not optimized
• Can lead to poor patient health outcomes
• Can cause low job satisfaction and increased turnover^[3][4][5]