Teamwork and Leadership
Types of Healthcare Teams
Administrative
Medical
Emergency
Hospital
Patient Care
Physician’s
office
Outpatient
care
Healthcare Should Be a Team Sport
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video
Team Composition
 Two
or more individuals organized to function
cooperatively
 Members focused on the same results
 Health care team: professionals with a variety
of:
 Health-related backgrounds
 Education
 Experiences
One-Profession Team: Nursing
(example)
 Registered
nurses (RNs)—team leaders
 Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)
 Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs)
 Certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
Multidisciplinary Team
Cooperative group of professionals with different:
 Qualifications
 Skills
 Areas of expertise
 Team members complement one another
 Provide comprehensive health care
 Example: cardiac rehabilitation team
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Elements of Team Structure
Team
purpose
Team goals
Team members’ roles
Team functions
Team Purpose
 What
is the reason for the team?
 What does it hope to accomplish?
 Points all members in right direction
 Determines how team should develop & move
forward
 For health care team: to provide or support
patient care
Team Goals
 Common
goals or objectives
 Decisions not made independently
 Focus on best interest of team
 Willingness to listen to opinions of other
members
Team Members’ Roles
 Team
leader
 Recorder or secretary
 Spokesperson
 Resource
 Implementers
Team Functions
 Activities
carried out to meet goals
 Unique skills & experiences matched to tasks
 Effectiveness of individual impacts all others
Required Ingredients for
Effective Teamwork
 Open
& honest communication
 Sufficient organizational resources
 Mutual support
 Understanding & recognizing role & function
of each member
Guidelines for Preparing
Team Meetings
 Set
meeting time & place in advance
 Choose a day & time when all members
are available
 For regular meetings, schedule for
same day & time
 Distribute agenda before meeting
Group Communication
 Listen
with full attention to other
members
 Express ideas as clearly as possible
 Encourage feedback on all ideas
 Avoid letting negative emotions cloud
communications
Tips for Contributing to a Team
Remember
group dynamics (how
members relate to each other)
Encourage contributions from
everyone
Avoid letting one member
dominate
Sources of Conflict
 Substance
vs. personality differences
 Independent work & limited group
conversation
 Atmosphere of distrust & suspicion
 Differences in:
 Training
 Knowledge
 Experience
 Competitive work environment
Managing Conflict: Steps in
Problem Solving
 Assessing
 Diagnosing
 Creating
a plan
 Implementing the plan
 Evaluating the plan
 Modifying the plan (if necessary)
Leadership
The
ability to influence others
while working toward a vision
or goal
Leadership (cont’d)
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Characteristics of Successful Health
Care Leaders
Understand complexity of coordinated care
 Remain open to different points of view
 Understand interdependency of health care team
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Leadership (cont’d)
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Leadership Skills
 Communication
 Problem
solving
 Management
 Self evaluation
Leadership (cont’d)
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Leadership Styles
 Autocratic
(directive)
 Leader controls decisions & activities
 Democratic
 Leader shares decisions & activities
 Laissez-faire (non-directive)
 Leader hands over power to group
Leadership (cont’d)
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Leadership and Management:
Four Functions of Managers
 Planning
 Organizing
 Directing
 Controlling
Leadership (cont’d)
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Preparing for a Leadership Role
 Identify
your strengths
 Evaluate how you accomplish work
 Clarify your values
 Assume responsibility for relationships
AS A LEADER:
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State roles and responsibilities
Describe individual and team areas for
growth
Describe team building exercises
Invite discussion for best practices
Recommend one or more strategies
Suggest what to do next
Identify action items