Assessment of Team Functioning in a Nursing Scenario

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to assess the nursing role development with respect to team functioning in an applied nursing scenario. Drawing on the utilitarian-cognitive continuum, a specific nursing team will be analyzed. Consideration will also be given to team thinking, individual team member behaviors, similarities and differences between individual and team thinking, and strategies for improving team functioning. This paper will conclude with a brief summary and an outline of key points.

Utilitarian-Cognitive Continuum

The team being discussed in this paper works within a women's inpatient unit, and includes myself, my fellow nurses, case manager, physical and occupational therapists, physicians, pharmacists, and, sometimes, hospice care providers. Within this team, we strive to provide the best possible care to patients through combining our individual skills with those of other team members. When considering the utilitarian-cognitive continuum, this team would lie in the middle. While we all possess specializations that help patients with specific health problems, we also effectively integrate these skills to provide holistic and patient-centered care. According to Hsieh and Kramer (2012), teams that lie on extreme ends of the continuum are generally less effective than those that can draw on both utilitarian and cognitive styles of thinking.

Team Thinking

The current team is effective in communicating problems, ideas, and concerns with other members of the unit in order to best meet patients' diverse needs. This communication helps individuals within the team observe the vantage points of other members, and allows each individual to consider multiple professional viewpoints to solve patients' problems. Regular staff meetings are held to help facilitate this communication process. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on evidence-based practice within this unit, which helps everyone within the unit remain apprised of recent research and to share ideas on how to improve.

Individual Behaviors

As with all teams, efficiency and effectiveness is determined by individual behaviors of each member (Propp et al., 2010). Each member within the group is capable of demonstrating each of the eight thinking roles demonstrated in figure 7-2. Rather than one person adopting a specific role, this team changes roles and identities depending on the situation. Additionally, each member fulfills multiple roles at various times in order to assess problems, perceive outcomes, effectively communicate perceptions with others and monitor all tasks and outcomes within the unit.

Individual Versus Team Thinking

Both individual and team thinking are important for an effective team (Propp et al., 2010). However, individual thinking is only effective when it is integrated within a larger system or group (Propp et al., 2010). Ideally, each member of a team is an effective individual and utilitarian thinker, but can also relay important information to others to help accomplish team tasks and goals.

Steps for Improvement

The current team is generally very successful and receives consistent positive feedback from patients. However, there remain some areas for improvement. For example, there is often a lack of thinking role clarity, as each member is required to fulfill multiple roles. A stronger leadership presence within the unit may be useful in ensuring that the current team successfully incorporates both individual and team thinking strategies. Sometimes, this team lacks a clear definer and analyst, which limits the ability for some members to perceive desired unit outcomes. Therefore, defining a nursing team leader or possibly assigning specific thinking roles to each member, may be useful in providing clarity and meeting team goals.

Conclusion

Both team and individual thinking are important for the success of a group. However, role clarity is often needed to improve team functioning and accomplish broad team goals. Therefore, continuing to emphasize communication, evidence-based practice, and clearly defining roles can all be effective strategies for improving the team outcomes.

References

Hsieh, E., & Kramer, E. M. (2012). Medical interpreters as tools: Dangers and challenges in the utilitarian approach to interpreters' roles and functions. Patient Education and Counseling, 89(1), 158-162.

Propp, K. M., Apker, J., Ford, W. S. Z., Wallace, N., Serbenski, M., & Hofmeister, N. (2010). Meeting the complex needs of the health care team: Identification of nurse-team communication practices perceived to enhance patient outcomes. Qualitative Health Research, 20(1), 15-28.