1. Working Effectively In Interprofessional Teams Team Diversity
Kristin Reavis, MD, MBS
Assistant Professor
Associate Program Director
Department of Family and Community Medicine

2. “A dynamic process involving two or more health professionals with complementary backgrounds and skills, sharing common health goals, and exercising concerted physical and mental effort in assessing, planning, or evaluating patient care. This is accomplished through interdependent collaboration, open communication, and shared decision making.”
Team Work

3. Effective Team Work Indicators for positive team work
Personal qualities and commitment of staff
Communication within the team
Opportunities to develop creative working methods within the team
Collaboration requires….
Competence, confidence, and commitment on the part of all parties
Respect and trust, both for oneself and others
Patience and time to build relationships
Effective Team Work

4. Characteristics of a good interdisciplinary team
Leadership and management
Communication
Personal rewards, training and development
Appropriate resources and procedures
Appropriate skill mix
Climate
Individual characteristics
Clarity of vision
Quality and outcomes of care
Respecting and understanding roles
Having a good team leader (Chief Resident) is key. He/she must have clear direction. Should be democratic, but willing to share power. Should be a leader who acts and listens.
Must ensure that the lines of communication within the team are open
Benefits of being an effective member of the team should be evident. In this setting, its the benefit to learn from others and receive excellent training and development as a young clinician.
There should be a shared vision of the team, and processes to uphold that vision (team structure, meetings, communication systems)
An effective team has a good mix of skills, competencies, practitioners, personalities. Individuals should have the ability to make the most of other team members’ backgrounds (appreciate the team diversity)
Must create a team culture of trust, valuing contributions of the team members, and nurturing consensus.
Individual characteristics of knowledge, experience, initiative, knowledge of strengths/weakness, listening skills will all add to the team dynamic
Have a clear set of values that drive the direction of the service and the care provided. Should portray a uniform and consistent external image.
Success will depend on a patient centered focus, encouraging feedback, and provision of effective care.
There must be a mixture of shared power, joint action, and autonomy
Characteristics of a good interdisciplinary team

5. Organizations consisting of individuals with interpersonal diversity are more productive than homogeneous ones.
Individuals from different backgrounds have different “tools” to address issues.
In business models, companies with cultural and gender diversity in leadership out-performed and had better innovation than less diverse groups.
Diverse teams have more creative ideas and methods of problem solving.
Individuals are more likely to want to join a diverse workforce .
Team Diversity

6. Diverse medical teams also lead to better patient outcomes.
Creating inclusive medical environments ensure that the workforce is fully representative of the patient populations served.
Patients see a diversity of opinions when making medical decisions.
Diversity can create stronger teams.
Diverse teams in medicine lead to scientific progress.
Diversity in Medicine

7. By encountering and interacting with individuals of varying racial and ethnic backgrounds during training, health professionals are better able to serve the nation’s diverse society.
Medical teams must grasp how and why different belief systems, cultural biases, ethnic origins, and family structures influence the patient experience.
Patient backgrounds influence how patients experience illness, heed medical advice, and respond to treatment plans
The outcome of care is dependent on these cultural factors
Diversity in Medicine

8. People of Color Receive Fewer/Less…
Everyday Bias for the Health Professions
Facilitator Guide
Cook Ross Inc. © 2015
May be used only with express permission.
People of Color Receive Fewer/Less…
Eye Exams
Breast Cancer Screenings
Kidney Transplants
Revascularization Procedures
TIME: 30 sec
SAY: Research shows that people of color receive fewer breast cancer screenings, kidney transplants, eye exams, vaccinations, and revascularization procedures, and less cardiac care, pain medication, and mental health treatment.
NOTE: Authors and abstracts for relevant studies are provided in the Additional Resources/Bibliography section of your Facilitator Guide. It is recommended that you review these completely before facilitating this session. You won’t use all of the information in the facilitation, but knowing the content will allow you to more easily respond to learners’ questions.
Mental Health Treatment
Cancer Pain Meds
Cardiac Care
Vaccinations

9. Significant Health Disparities Exist In…
Everyday Bias for the Health Professions
Facilitator Guide
Cook Ross Inc. © 2015
May be used only with express permission.
Significant Health Disparities Exist In…
Kidney Disease
TIME: 30 sec
SAY: The research has shown us that health disparities exist across many chronic illnesses and conditions.
NOTE: Authors and abstracts for key health disparities research are provided in the Additional Resources/Bibliography section of your Facilitator Guide. It is recommended that you review these completely before facilitating this session. You won’t use all of the information in the facilitation, but knowing the content will allow you to more easily respond to learners’ questions.

10. Team diversity can help mitigate the effects of health disparities.
URM physicians are more likely to practice in underserved communities and treat larger numbers of minority patients.
Black and Latino physicians are more likely to provide care to the poor and those on Medicaid.
Health Disparities

11. Be the Leader…Not the Follower
Be comfortable outside of your comfort zone.
“Check your own pulse first”.
Realize there is no “one” way to treat a group.
Be responsive, not reactive.
Challenge and confront racism, sexism, classism, and other forms of prejudice/discrimination in the medical institution.
Check your pulse…become aware of personal attitudes, beliefs, biases, and behaviors that influence your leadership…this will determine how you interact with co-residents, faculty, and staff from diverse racial, ethnic, and sociocultural backgrounds.
Diversity is often greater within groups than between them.
Be the Leader…Not the Follower

12. Nancarrow et al. “Ten Principles of Good Interdisciplinary Team Work
Nancarrow et al. “Ten Principles of Good Interdisciplinary Team Work.” Human Resources for Health 2013, 11:19
Betancourt, J.R., and R.C. Like “Editorial: A New Framework of Care”. Patient Care Special Issue, Caring for Diverse Populations: Breaking Down Barriers, May 15, 2000, pp
Abreu, Kim. “The Myriad Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace.” Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur, 9 Dec. 2014,
Scherman, Jess Mansour. “Jess Mansour Scherman.” Rasmussen College - Regionally Accredited College Online and on Campus, healthcare/.
lynne.walsh. “Homelessness Programs and Resources.” Homelessness Programs and Resources | SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 21 Jan. 2016, homeless.samhsa.gov/Resource/Tips- for-Outreach-Workers-by-Outreach-Workers aspx.