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RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Improving the pre-medical emergency team: the case for a behavioural theoretical lens

Judy Currey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0574-0054 A , Stephanie K. Sprogis https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4259-6976 A * , Daryl Jones https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6446-3595 B C D and Julie Considine AO https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3801-2456 A E
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A School of Nursing and Midwifery & Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia.

B Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.

C School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 533 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.

D Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.

E Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research – Eastern Health Partnership, 2/5 Arnold Street, Box Hill, Vic. 3128, Australia.

* Correspondence to: s.sprogis@deakin.edu.au

Australian Health Review https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24041
Submitted: 19 February 2024  Accepted: 20 March 2024  Published: 5 April 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.

Abstract

There is mounting evidence that the pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) of rapid response systems is underutilised in clinical practice due to suboptimal structures and processes and resource constraints. In this perspective article, we argue for examining the pre-MET through a ‘Behaviour Change Wheel’ lens to improve the pre-MET and maximise the associated patient safety benefits. Using pre-MET communication practices as an example, we illustrate the value of the COM-B model, where clinicians’ ‘capability’, ‘opportunity’, and ‘motivation’ drive ‘behaviour’. Optimising clinicians’ behaviours and establishing failsafe rapid response systems is a complex undertaking; however, examining clinicians’ behaviours through the COM-B model enables reframing barriers and facilitators to develop multifaceted and coordinated solutions that are behaviourally and theoretically based. The COM-B model is recommended to clinical governance leaders and health services researchers to explore the underlying causes of behaviour and successfully enact change in the design, implementation, and use of the pre-MET to improve patient safety.

Keywords: clinical deterioration, health services research, hospital rapid response team, implementation science, interdisciplinary communication, patient safety, quality improvement, theory.

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