The Joys and Complications of Working on a Team

Introduction

In this installment of the Clinician Educators Series Drs. Youngwerth and Twaddle review the literature about the use of teams in clinical practice and ways to make a team work more effectively.

Integrating into a new team can be a challenging experience for young faculty. Teams are diverse and each has its own unique personality and ways of functioning. The team “culture” may not be obvious to new members. It is the responsibility of the new member joining the group to observe the team in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of this culture. The process can often be facilitated by taking the time to ask questions rather than making assumptions.

Faculty joining a permanent team for the first time also need to have knowledge about the benefits and pitfalls of working in a team setting. Difficulties with communication, hierarchy, and role clarity are common to all teams. New members will be well served to understand these common problems in team functioning and ways in which their behavior could enhance or hamper team function.

Drs. Youngwerth and Twaddle detail nicely the important factors in team function for new faculty to be aware of when integrating into a team.