Structural Barriers and Cultural Bridges: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Physicians’ Perspectives on Interprofessional Collaboration with Registered Nurses

Background/Objectives: Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between physicians and registered nurses (RNs) is essential for managing increasingly complex patient care. Although IPC is associated with improved coordination and patient outcomes, hierarchical dynamics and organisational constraints may limit RNs’ meaningful participation. This study explored physicians’ perceptions of RNs’ professional roles and contributions within IPC in hospital settings. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study used nine semi-structured focus group interviews with 42 physicians from medical units across three university hospitals in the Capital Region of Denmark, recruited through convenience sampling. Interviews focused on everyday collaborative practices, including interprofessional meetings and ward rounds. Data were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Results: Physicians’ accounts of IPC with RNs were captured in four themes: RNs’ contributions are central to IPC; Cultural conditions enabling IPC; Misaligned workflows and competing responsibilities shaping IPC; and Clinical partnership and expectations of support in IPC. Conclusions: From the participating physicians’ perspectives, IPC was shaped by RNs’ experience, relational culture, and organisational conditions. Physicians described relying particularly on RNs’ sharing of information and clinical assessments that they considered important for safe and coordinated care, which they perceived as reflective of RNs’ experience. However, they perceived organisational constraints as limiting the integration of nursing perspectives into decision-making. These findings indicate areas for further investigation and potential organisational development related to RNs’ participation in IPC.