Bianca K Frogner1, Cyndy R Snyder, Jaime R Hornecker. 1. associate professor and director, Center for Health Workforce Studies, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington research assistant professor, Center for Health Workforce Studies, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington clinical professor, Pharmacy Practice, University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy, University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program, Casper, Wyoming.
Abstract
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Team-based care has been identified as an important element of effective primary care practice. While there is a growing body of literature supporting the value of team-based care, research on best practices in team-based care has suffered from the lack of a widely accepted framework with common definitions. We used qualitative interviews to explore healthcare administrators' perspectives regarding team-based care descriptions, their decisions regarding composition of a team, and how they identify characteristics of a well-functioning team. Interviewees discussed six broad themes: (1) definitions of team-based care, (2) team structure and roles, (3) team goals, (4) monitoring team effectiveness, (5) challenges to implementing team-based care, and (6) the influence of healthcare policy on team-based care. The study findings can be used to identify further ways to assess the notion of "teamness."
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Team-based care has been identified as an important element of effective primary care practice. While there is a growing body of literature supporting the value of team-based care, research on best practices in team-based care has suffered from the lack of a widely accepted framework with common definitions. We used qualitative interviews to explore healthcare administrators' perspectives regarding team-based care descriptions, their decisions regarding composition of a team, and how they identify characteristics of a well-functioning team. Interviewees discussed six broad themes: (1) definitions of team-based care, (2) team structure and roles, (3) team goals, (4) monitoring team effectiveness, (5) challenges to implementing team-based care, and (6) the influence of healthcare policy on team-based care. The study findings can be used to identify further ways to assess the notion of "teamness."