Exploration and testing of these four mechanisms allows their
status as mechanisms of interprofessional teamwork to be
assessed. The evidence for ‘‘efficient, open and equitable
communication’’ and ‘‘tactical communication’’ was persuasive
as these mechanisms were well described, despite a smaller
number of studies addressing ‘‘tactical communication’’. Whilst
they were not present in all the teams studied, contexts were
identified that triggered the mechanisms in particular teams.
In the articles reviewed for the open communication mechanism,
avoidance of error did not emerge as an outcome, but other
elements of the initial definition were well supported.
responsibility and influence’’ mechanism. Little evidence was found to support or oppose the
mechanism, ‘‘team behavioural norms’’, so its status as a mechanism of interprofessional
teamwork is unclear. A striking finding for all the mechanisms was the dearth of information on
how they affected patient clinical outcomes and experiences