Nurse-Physician Collaboration in Mitigating Workload-Induced Burnout and Turnover Intention: A Scoping Review of Adaptive Risk Pathways

Abstract

Burnout and turnover intention threaten hospital workforce stability and patient safety. Workload is an established contributor, but how nurse–physician collaboration may interrupt this pathway across hospital contexts remains unclear. This scoping review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, the Population–Concept–Context framework, and PRISMA-ScR guidance. PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost were searched from database inception to 19 May 2026, with eligibility restricted to English-language peer-reviewed empirical studies published in 2022–2026. Of 576 records identified, seven studies were included after screening. The data were charted and interpreted using the Roy Adaptation Model. The seven studies (N = 51,711) identified staffing shortages, high patient acuity, time pressure, administrative and electronic health record burden, and crisis-related disruption. Collaboration involved relational coordination, shared goals, mutual respect, shared decision-making, mentorship, and peer support. Supportive collaboration was associated with job satisfaction, well-being, and intention to stay, whereas weak or unsupported collaboration coincided with burnout, moral injury, fatigue, and turnover intention. Collaboration may reduce uncertainty, distribute clinical responsibility, and strengthen collective coping; however, its protective value depends on staffing adequacy, responsive leadership, and work-system support. Nurse–physician collaboration may mitigate adverse workforce outcomes but cannot substitute for safe staffing and organizational support. Hospitals should integrate workload reduction with structured interprofessional communication, shared governance, mentoring, and peer support. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to test mediation and moderation effects.