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Ward culture and staff relationships at hospital mealtimes in Australia: An ethnographic account

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  • Ella Ottrey
  • Judi Porter
  • Catherine E. Huggins
  • Claire Palermo

Abstract

Nutrition care is a fundamental component of quality health care provided to patients in hospital, yet little is known about the staff who deliver this care and their interrelationships, and how this impacts nutrition care. In this ethnographic study on two subacute wards, 67 h of fieldwork was conducted over 3 months to explore the relationships, roles, and responsibilities of those involved at mealtimes, and the influence on meal provision. Data were analyzed inductively and thematically. Three themes describing ward culture and staff relationships emerged: (i) defining mealtime roles and maintaining boundaries; (ii) balancing the need for teamwork and having time and space; and (iii) effective communication supports role completion and problem solving. Lack of appreciation of workflow enablers and barriers degraded working relationships between staff with and without central roles at mealtimes. The present study informs health‐care organizations on building a culture that supports interprofessional collaboration in nutrition care in the subacute setting. All staff need to be aware of their and others' mealtime roles and responsibilities to support a coordinated approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Ella Ottrey & Judi Porter & Catherine E. Huggins & Claire Palermo, 2019. "Ward culture and staff relationships at hospital mealtimes in Australia: An ethnographic account," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(1), pages 78-84, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:nuhsci:v:21:y:2019:i:1:p:78-84
    DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12559
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lisa McKenna & Malcolm Boyle & Claire Palermo & Elizabeth Molloy & Brett Williams & Ted Brown, 2014. "Promoting interprofessional understandings through online learning: A qualitative examination," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), pages 321-326, September.
    2. Fiona E. Roberts & Kate Goodhand, 2018. "Scottish healthcare student's perceptions of an interprofessional ward simulation: An exploratory, descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(1), pages 107-115, March.
    3. Michele McGrath & Mari Botti & Bernice Redley, 2017. "Clinicians’ perceptions and recognition of practice improvement strategies to prevent harms to older people in acute care hospitals," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(23-24), pages 4936-4944, December.
    4. Ella Ottrey & Claire Palermo & Catherine E. Huggins & Judi Porter, 2018. "Exploring staff perceptions and experiences of volunteers and visitors on the hospital ward at mealtimes using an ethnographic approach," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(7-8), pages 1571-1579, April.
    5. Lewin, Simon & Reeves, Scott, 2011. "Enacting 'team' and 'teamwork': Using Goffman's theory of impression management to illuminate interprofessional practice on hospital wards," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(10), pages 1595-1602, May.
    6. Teresa Elizabeth Stone, 2013. "Malnutrition in hospitals: What is the next course?," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(2), pages 135-136, June.
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