Why Is Teamwork in Health Care Important?

Introduction

Two or more individuals, who work together toward a similar objective, with the support of a leader who encourages open conversation and problem resolution, are referred to as a team in the context of health care. One of the most effective ways to treat underprivileged populations and areas with limited health care access is to integrate services across many health professionals. Teams in health care use cooperation and increased communication to broaden their duties and make choices as a group that works toward a shared objective. Doctors and nurses from various disciplines must collaborate often and share resources in order to provide the best possible health care for patients.

Cadres in health care are groups of health care specialists that each have a certain area of expertise and are assigned specific responsibilities (Rosen et al., 2018). These interdisciplinary teams are formed to address health issues. Teams who are successful in their work make an effort to comprehend the patient’s position, ask probing questions, do a preliminary evaluation of the issue, and then formulate a recommendation6. Teams may also work together to promote health in different communities and create healthy habits in patients.

Why is teamwork important

The growth of cooperation in health care was influenced by a range of causes. It is becoming more and more difficult for medical practitioners to handle increasingly challenging patients while keeping up with fast expanding treatment approaches. In light of the rising frequency of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease, healthcare practitioners are being forced to take a multidisciplinary approach to patient care (Rosen et al., 2018). Patients in countries like the United States are treated by medical teams that have to cope with a wide range of health conditions. Health care reform is a priority in many countries, including the United States. Medical professionals in Brazil undertake considerable education and training to become culturally and linguistically aware so they may better assist their patients.

The second finding of the study was that collaboration between healthcare providers minimizes medical mistakes and improves patient safety. As a result of working together, burnout is less likely to occur (Mao & Woolley, 2016). Patient care is no longer the exclusive duty of a single healthcare expert; instead, a group of specialists from many fields works together to safeguard the patient’s health. Breaking down the hierarchy and concentrated control of health organizations helps to empower health professionals more. It’s also possible that patients and their loved ones may feel more at ease because of the teamwork’s focus on clear communication. As a result, health care employees are happier with their jobs. In a recent research, nurses who were involved in a successful team building exercise reported higher levels of job satisfaction.

Teamwork and medical school

Pre-service education has come to value teamwork and team training more than ever before. Students will be better prepared for their future careers in medicine if medical curricula emphasize teaching students how to work in teams and communicate effectively. When it comes to dealing with patients from marginalized neighborhoods, students who study teamwork and collaborative care are more prepared (Peduzzi & Agreli, 2018).. In India, a training program for HIV-infected nurses teaches them to be counselors, laboratory technicians, and outreach workers. As soon as possible, the World Health Organization advises students to include collaboration into their curriculum. To help students work together, communicate knowledge, and solve clinical issues as a team, several programs offer problem-based learning.

References

Mao, A. T., & Woolley, A. W. (2016). Teamwork in health care: maximizing collective intelligence via inclusive collaboration and open communication. AMA journal of ethics, 18(9), 933-940.

Peduzzi, M., & Agreli, H. F. (2018). Teamwork and collaborative practice in Primary Health Care. Interface-Comunicação, Saúde, Educação, 22, 1525-1534.

Rosen, M. A., DiazGranados, D., Dietz, A. S., Benishek, L. E., Thompson, D., Pronovost, P. J., & Weaver, S. J. (2018). Teamwork in healthcare: Key discoveries enabling safer, high-quality care. American Psychologist, 73(4), 433.