Effective collaboration is crucial in healthcare because poor teamwork can significantly increase healthcare costs, extended hospital stays, and redundant tests and treatments. It can also cause high turnover rates, stress, job dissatisfaction, and burnout among healthcare staff, compromising patient care quality (Ferguson et al., 2020). These issues can ultimately result in suboptimal patient outcomes, including higher rates of complications and readmissions. In my experience working on an interdisciplinary project, I have realized that these problems are common but widely recognized in the healthcare sector. Addressing these challenges is vital to improving post-surgical recovery protocols and improving overall patient care quality. By fostering better communication, effective leadership, and openness to change, healthcare teams can overcome these hurdles, improving patient and healthcare provider outcomes (Josi et al., 2020).
In healthcare settings, interdisciplinary teams are more effective when leaders follow several best-practice strategies. One is shared leadership, which involves team members in decision-making and delegation of responsibilities. Leaders empower team members, develop non-hierarchical structures, and provide necessary information for team decision-making. Coaching colleagues in shared leadership practices can ensure a collaborative and inclusive team environment. Another important strategy is to focus on transformation and change. Leaders should create an environment where staff feel challenged, supported, motivated, and rewarded (Jepkosgei et al., 2022). By being responsive to change, facilitating or acting as catalysts for practice change, serving as role models, and inspiring team members, leaders can help keep the team dynamic and adaptable to the evolving demands in healthcare.
Personal qualities of leaders also play a significant role in the success of interdisciplinary teams. Key qualities include enthusiasm, commitment, empathy, and comprehensive people knowledge. These qualities are fundamental in building a strong, cohesive team that is responsive and empathetic to the needs of its members and patients. Goal alignment is another critical leadership strategy. Leaders should ensure that the team has a clear and inspiring vision of its work, aligning team productivity and goals with the organization’s objectives (Patel & Metersky, 2022). Regularly reviewing team performance and providing feedback on important issues helps maintain focus and direction, ensuring the team’s efforts are cohesive and aligned with broader organizational goals. Implementing tailored interventions based on the specific needs and contexts of the team is essential. This involves integrating published research evidence with the tacit knowledge of the team members to optimize their interdisciplinary work. Systematic reviews, action research methodologies, and feedback from team members are effective in developing tailored approaches.
Continual feedback and the participation of nurses are of utmost importance, particularly when introducing new technologies or processes such as Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA). Direct feedback from nurses directly involved in patient care is crucial in selecting and perfecting systems that cater to their practice requirements. The involvement of nursing leadership is crucial for the successful implementation of new workflow processes and technology, ensuring that any changes made are practical and beneficial to patient care (Patel & Metersky, 2022). As discussed in the literature, these strategies emphasize shared leadership, adaptability, strong leadership qualities, clear goal alignment, tailored interventions, and active team member involvement, particularly from nursing staff. Such practices are instrumental in enhancing the performance and effectiveness of interdisciplinary teams in healthcare settings.
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