Table 1.

Elements and Levels of Collaboration

Level of collaboration	Elements encountered
0. Unconscious incompetence	Doesn’t know what collaboration is
	Doesn’t know that he/she doesn’t know
I. Low level collaboration	Jobs done in complementary ways on parallel tracks
	Little or no interaction
	Smooth hand-offs
	Use of protocol or pathway
	Little affective component
II. Mid level	Give and take interactions
	Use of other’s abilities to jointly problem solve
	Active listening regarding patient care issues
	Satisfaction with job well-done
	Some appreciation of “the other”
III. High level (high order) collaboration	Fluid, repetitive interactions
	Flexible use of one another’s’ abilities and talents
	On-the-spot collaborative problem solving
	Intuitive appreciation of others’ needs and use of that knowledge
	Potential for high level affective outcomes