Teamwork_Is_the_Key

In all fields of professions, teamwork is required to achieve a cohesive network and ensure that goals can be achieved efficiently. In healthcare, it is the same. Very often patients will be required to see a number of specialists before the result is known and a suitable plan can be initiated. That is why an effective healthcare team must be productive in collaboration and be able to overcome factors that may inhibit their service. Different patient circumstances will call for different healthcare professionals, that is why it is very important to understand the patient’s situation (Canadian Health Services Research Foundation). Mickan and Rodger (2000) defined a team as “a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose for which they hold themselves mutually accountable” (p.201). Mickan and Rodger (2000) described eighteen characteristics in their literature review that a team required to be functional and effective. It was evaluated that an effective healthcare must have a clear cut purpose or goal. These goals must be measureable and achievable. Members of the team are usually managed by a leader. The team is expected to adhere to tasks and deliver a tangible contribution. Within the team there is an expected amount of communication, commitment, coordination and knowledge. Communication is a vital characteristic of teamwork; this includes interchanging of information and negotiating tasks. Without appropriate communication team cohesion may diminish. Accurate and timely feedback can also help the team improve their service and target any weaknesses. As a whole, the team should do all within their power to provide the best possible result for patient and the affected family. As it has already been explained an effective team requires a number of characteristics. If any of these characteristics lacked then the team would obviously be weaker. A common factor that can also effect the function is group size. If the team is too big then it will be much harder to communicate. Another problem that can arise is due to respect. Sometimes health professionals will feel that they are of higher importance and their actions may inappropriately undermine other professionals (Mickan & Rodger, 2000). It is important for all members to keep a level head and work towards the patient’s well being instead of their own. In a recent study the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation acknowledged that teamwork is a product of collaboration. It also stated that “collaboration enhances teamwork. Collaboration is a process that requires relationships and interactions” (p.4). To achieve collaboration health professionals must promote the characteristics of teamwork. There is a wide variety of collaboration which can occur and this is dependent on the type of care required. Productive collaboration can best be achieved when independent parallel professionals work together through consultation and referral. They then would be expected to exchange information and their views on the patient’s situation. This would lead to interdependent co-provision of care and a decision that was interdependently reached. Even though Canada is the only country currently supporting the idea of healthcare teamwork, it is expected that many more countries will take the idea on board. With cohesive teamwork, a lot of pressure on individual professionals will be lifted and patients will be provided with optimal results. This could further lead to better results and more advanced techniques being produced. Reference Canadian Health Services Research. (2006). Teamwork in healthcare: promoting effective teamwork in healthcare in Canada. Retrieved from http://blackboard.elearning.uq.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp'tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_116118_1%26url%3D Mickan, S., & Rodger, S. (2000). Characteristics of effective teams: a literature review. Australian Health Review, 23(3).