Does Team Training Work? Principles for Health Care

TLDR

Teamwork is essential for patient safety, and team training equips staff with competencies that have proven effective in complex settings such as aviation and health care, yet little is known about the mechanisms and timing of its effectiveness. The article aims to fill this knowledge gap by presenting quantitative results and a qualitative content analysis of team training in health care to guide implementation. The authors combine quantitative data with a qualitative review of team training implementations in health care. The review yields eight evidence‑based principles for planning, implementing, and evaluating team training in health care.

Abstract

Teamwork is integral to a working environment conducive to patient safety and care. Team training is one methodology designed to equip team members with the competencies necessary for optimizing teamwork. There is evidence of team training's effectiveness in highly complex and dynamic work environments, such as aviation and health care. However, most quantitative evaluations of training do not offer any insight into the actual reasons why, how, and when team training is effective. To address this gap in understanding, and to provide guidance for members of the health care community interested in implementing team training programs, this article presents both quantitative results and a specific qualitative review and content analysis of team training implemented in health care. Based on this review, we offer eight evidence-based principles for effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of team training programs specific to health care.