Unit 4 – Teams and Teamwork (Day 1 of 2)

Description: Teamwork is the foundation of interprofessional collaborative practice. The unique training of each profession assures competence as a _____ (fill in the blank with any profession). However, in reality, competent professionals can – and do with some regularity – combine to create an incompetent team.3 In this unit, students learn about and discuss the 7 C’s for effective teamwork, reflect upon their current or future transitions into the clinical/practical learning environment, and how they will assimilate effectively into the team.  

Online Learning Objectives: 

1. Describe the characteristics of effective teams 
2. Identify the relationships between effective teams and their provision of person-centered/population-centered work and improved health outcomes 
3. Complete a self-reflection on the value of teamwork in health systems 

In-Class Objectives:

1. Using the strengths of diverse, interprofessional teams, apply team strategies and tools to complete a team-based escape room
2. Debrief and share constructive feedback on teamwork demonstrated
3. Identify the elements necessary (knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors) for effective teamwork and identify how it has or will be applied to the professional/clinical/practical learning environments

IPEC Competencies: 

The unit addresses the following sub-competencies through content, instruction, reflection, discussion, and activity. 

Values/Ethics 

VE5. Work in cooperation with those who receive care, those who provide care, and others who contribute to or support the delivery of prevention and health services and programs. 

VE6. Develop a trusting relationship with patients, families, and other team members.5 

VE9. Act with honesty and integrity in relationships with patients, families, communities, and other team members. 

Roles/Responsibilities 

RR3. Engage diverse professionals who complement one’s own professional expertise, as well as associated resources, to develop strategies to meet specific health and healthcare needs of patients and populations. 

RR10. Describe how professionals in health and other fields can collaborate and integrate clinical care and public health interventions to optimize population health. 

Interprofessional Communication 

CC5. Give timely, sensitive, instructive feedback to others about their performance on the team, responding respectfully as a team member to feedback from others. 

CC7. Recognize how one’s uniqueness (experience level, expertise, culture, power, and hierarchy within the health team) contributes to effective communication, conflict resolution, and positive interprofessional working relationships. 

CC8. Communicate the importance of teamwork in patient-centered care and population health programs and policies. 

♦Teams/Teamwork 

TT1. Describe the process of team development and the roles and practices of effective teams. 

TT3. Engage health and other professionals in shared patient-centered and population-focused problem-solving. 

TT5. Apply leadership practices that support collaborative practice and team effectiveness. 

TT7. Share accountability with other professions, patients, and communities for outcomes relevant to prevention and health care. 

TT8. Reflect on individual and team performance for individual, as well as team, performance improvement. 

TT11. Perform effectively on teams and in different team roles in a variety of settings.