Team training for healthcare workers can reduce patient mortality by 15 percent and medical errors 19 percent, according to a study soon to be published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.
A team from Houston-based Rice University, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, the University of Central Florida in Orlando, the Department of Defense and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston examined the impact of teamwork training among 23,018 participants in 129 prior studies.
The team training in question was an instructional strategy aimed at improving team-based knowledge, skills, attitudes and problem-solving interactions. It focused on developing coordination, cooperation, communication, leadership and other team-based skills. Each team member was trained in specific roles to perform specific tasks, as well as how to interact with each other to achieve a common goal.
The participants from the various studies were healthcare providers, allied healthcare personnel and students who worked in a number of settings, from clinics to large hospitals.
Researchers found the training led to a decrease in mortality and patient errors.
"Team training has the potential to teach individuals how to better communicate, cooperate and resolve conflicts in workplace settings, including healthcare," said Eduardo Salas, PhD, a professor at Rice. "Ultimately, we found that team training is effective and useful in this field and can save money and, more importantly, lives."