Introduction
Nowadays, it is unusual for a patient to receive care from only one medical professional. Generally, the patient relies on the treatment provided by doctors and nurses. However, medical professionals must cooperate and communicate effectively to maximize the results and ensure quality patient care. Team dynamics in the healthcare field directly influence patients’ mortality and morbidity, along with the physical and psychological well-being of medical staff members. Therefore, to reach the set objectives, professionals must ensure cooperation and prioritize the patient’s interests.
Factors Contributing to Team Effectiveness in Achieving Desired Outcomes
An effective team can be defined as one in which the staff members cooperate and combine their insights, knowledge, and critical judgment to enhance the treatment provided to the patients. A team member will become a better part of the group if they are aware of the work environment and how it affects team dynamics and performance (Rosen et al., 2018). In case of incivility in the team, the cooperation between team members is broken since there is no proper communication, which might lead to higher mortality rates of patients and medical errors (Rosen et al., 2018). Therefore, among the situations and conditions that disrupt team dynamics are hostility and lack of cohesiveness, which is usually the result of miscommunication.
Case Study: Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary Team in Nursing Practice
The interdisciplinary team in my current nursing practice is the laboratory team, which is inefficient due to a staff shortage. Several weeks ago, the unit had to perform a blood transfusion on a young male, and in order to perform the transfusion, as a nurse, I had to connect to the laboratory regarding the blood. However, when calling the unit, no one answered my phone call, and, as a result, I had to collect the required material personally. Upon arriving at the unit, I did not see anyone, which meant the employees had a break. I decided to make another phone call a bit later to have an update. However, in an hour, a member of the laboratory team called and was furious, saying, “Does no one care about the blood? Should I really call and remind everyone of their responsibilities? I have plenty of work here!”
With the given information, it is reasonable to state that this is an ethical issue since the employee of the laboratory team disrespected the efforts of a nursing unit, letting personal emotions disrupt the workplace dynamics. To resolve the conflict, I used communication techniques and interpersonal skills when, during a break, I tried to explain my emotions and the complex process to the members. I did not push or blame the employee but instead talked about my perspective. Consequently, after receiving the report on the situation, the director of nursing agreed to expand the team in the laboratory unit for the overnight shift and post on board every shift the list of patients to receive blood transfusions.
Conclusion
Hence, professionals must ensure collaboration and give priority to the patient’s interests in order to accomplish the goals they have set. An efficient team is one in which the personnel collaborate and pool their expertise, knowledge, and critical thinking to improve the care given to the patients. Hostility and a lack of cohesion in the team, typically the outcome of miscommunication, are among the scenarios and factors that disturb team dynamics. From personal experience, a laboratory team proved ineffective due to a staff shortage. However, the director of nursing solved the issue by employing more people in the unit for the overnight shifts.
Reference
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. The American Psychologist, 73(4), 433–450. Web.
