Effective communication, mutual respect, and understanding of each other's roles are crucial for the success of multi-disciplinary teams. Dr Jai Rao, Programme Director of Singapore Integrated Programme for Neurosurgery, takes this opportunity to elaborate on the importance of multi-disciplinary teamwork, through the "why", the "how" and the "what" framework.
+++
In today's interconnected medical landscape, the workplace has evolved beyond traditional boundaries within professions. Fluid teams can now develop and connect across multiple sites and diverse disciplines; the challenge of effective collaboration has become both a necessity and an opportunity. I believe the definition of the term "team" needs clarification here before we proceed; for me, a team is any group of individuals coming together for a shared purpose.
The ability to seamlessly integrate expertise from various locations and fields is a testament to the dynamism of modern work environments. This presents unique challenges and stressors for individuals unfamiliar with these settings. I have been fortunate to work in an institution that has been a multi-site practice since my registrar days. This exposure to different "cultures" in hospitals and teams forms one of my core beliefs regarding collaboration, leading to better patient care as well as healthcare professional satisfaction. I will use a well-known framework to outline my thoughts: The Why, The How, and The What.
The Why:
The workplace has changed; opinions can now be freely sought from online and remote sources, but without a team focused on the purpose, is this effective? One of the greatest advantages of assembling a team with members from different sites and disciplines is the diversity of thought it brings to the table. Each team member contributes a valuable perspective to problem-solving and innovation. This diversity not only fosters creativity but also ensures a more comprehensive approach to tackling complex challenges. I need to caution, though, that not all problems need a team-based solution, and we need to learn when it's appropriate to apply this methodology to be effective.
Working across multiple sites provides a unique opportunity to tap into a local and global pool of talent. Teams can leverage the expertise of individuals from different campus locations, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and best practices. For me, having worked across different sites, I am acutely aware of where I need to send patients for the right siting of care because I am aware of the competencies of the team. This allows me to shift patients across SGH / CGH / TTSH to get the most appropriate care.
The How:
The path to successful multi-site, and multi-disciplinary teamwork is not without its hurdles. It places a lot of stress on the individual initially, as each team has a different focus/aim/culture which requires fluidity of thought to keep track of. Communication barriers, hospital, and professional group nuances can pose significant challenges. To overcome these obstacles, I believe in encouraging interprofessional collaborative practice competencies in all individuals. In 2018, I was fortunate to attend such a course, and I have applied the lessons to my practice. This has helped me manage my workload tremendously and contributed to my physician wellness. I often get asked how I manage to do all the things I am involved in, and my go-to answer is that it's not me but my teams. The two key competencies that I would suggest teams develop are communication and conflict management, especially with the take-off of telehealth/remote working; clear communication norms need to be encouraged to build our teams. We must realise that conflict in teams is a natural expression of stress, and this can be managed by promoting a culture of openness and adaptability.
The What:
What I do is simple; I work as a medical professional to take care of patients and help advance the healthcare system. But what I get is so much more: I have developed a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect to create effective teams across multiple sites and professions. In my practice and professional career, I get to work in areas and learn new knowledge daily due to my diverse interactions beyond neurosurgery. This keeps me professionally satisfied, and I wake up every day happy to face the challenges ahead due to the confidence in the various teams.
I have not covered one aspect that I want to touch on, which is the potential of Generative AI to be part of your team. This article was written entirely by me, but in the process, I had a "conversation" with ChatGPT. This allowed me to clarify my points and sharpen my thoughts before I sat down to write, as it was as good as bouncing ideas off my teams. I encourage you to explore how you create your teams, and one day maybe we will be part of the same team too!
Thank you for your insightful contribution and sharing your perspective on multi-disciplinary teamwork in the healthcare setting, Dr Jai Rao. We are confident that our readers will gain valuable takeaways from this well-articulated opinion piece, and we look forward to hearing more of your work in the future – hopefully about incorporating Generative AI in teamwork!
Subcribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
