Evidence-Based Teamwork Models In Geriatric Palliative Care: Implications For Strengthening The Total Psychosocial Well-Being Of Patients In Nigerian Teaching Hospitals

Publication Details

Publication Date

10/09/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 4 (2026)

Article No.

085

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-FJJGKCMR

Received

27 Aug 2026

Views

10

Downloads

3

Abstract

Palliative care requires coordinated professional responses to the physical, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of serious illness. In geriatric palliative care (GPC), the complexity of patients' needs makes effective teamwork particularly important. However, evidence on what and how teamwork functions within Nigerian tertiary hospitals remains limited. This study comparatively examined teamwork models in GPC across Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria; University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, with particular attention to team structure, decision-making, outcomes and challenges affecting psychosocial care. A mixed-methods approach was employed. Quantitative data comprised 208 valid questionnaires retrieved from 220 administered, representing a 94.6% response rate. Qualitative evidence comprised 20 in-depth interviews and six key informant interviews, complemented by empirical observation and organizational ethnography. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed and triangulated with observational evidence. The multidisciplinary teamwork model was the most frequently reported at ABUTH (50.0%), UCH (45.8%) and UNTH (52.5%). However, observational evidence demonstrated important differences in how this nominally multidisciplinary structure functioned. UCH showed the strongest interdisciplinary characteristics. ABUTH demonstrated a predominantly multidisciplinary but hierarchical and physician-centred team, while UNTH reflected an adaptive, resource-constrained and predominantly interdisciplinary team with considerable pragmatic role overlap. Shared decision-making was reported by 57.6% of ABUTH, 59.0% of UCH and 66.1% of UNTH respondents, although qualitative evidence showed that final authority remained concentrated in senior medical staff. UCH recorded the highest patient satisfaction (87.1%), whereas ABUTH demonstrated stronger clinical orientation and UNTH experienced weaker continuity of care. The findings demonstrate that the presence of multiple professional disciplines does not necessarily constitute effective teamwork. The study recommends that strengthening structured interdisciplinary collaboration, inclusive decision-making, institutional support and psychosocial integration is essential to improving the total well-being of older patients receiving palliative care in Nigeria.

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