TY - JOUR T1 - Intergroup relationships and quality improvement in healthcare JF - BMJ Quality & Safety JO - BMJ Qual Saf SP - i62 LP - i66 DO - 10.1136/bmjqs.2010.046169 VL - 20 IS - Suppl 1 AU - Jean M Bartunek Y1 - 2011/04/01 UR - http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/20/Suppl_1/i62.abstract N2 - Background Intergroup problems among physicians, nurses and administrators in healthcare settings sometimes retard such settings' ability to foster enhanced quality of care. Without knowledge of the social dynamics that generate the difficulties, it is impossible to address some crucial issues that may affect quality initiatives.Methods This paper reviews three types of dynamics, social identity, communities of practice and socialisation into particular professional identities that affect relationships among professional groups in healthcare settings.Recommendations A suggestion is made for the creation of cross-boundary communities of practice, socialisation into them and dual, superordinate identities as a means to foster more effective intergroup dynamics and, thus, contribute to a greater quality of care. ER -