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Effective followership: A standardized algorithm to resolve clinical conflicts and improve teamwork
Author(s) -
Sculli Gary L.,
Fore Amanda M.,
Sine David M.,
Paull Douglas E.,
Tschannen Dana,
Aebersold Michelle,
Seagull F. Jacob,
Bagian James P.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of healthcare risk management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.221
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 2040-0861
pISSN - 1074-4797
DOI - 10.1002/jhrm.21174
Subject(s) - followership , teamwork , assertiveness , hierarchy , health care , communication skills , patient safety , psychology , computer science , knowledge management , medical education , medicine , social psychology , political science , law
In healthcare, the sustained presence of hierarchy between team members has been cited as a common contributor to communication breakdowns. Hierarchy serves to accentuate either actual or perceived chains of command, which may result in team members failing to challenge decisions made by leaders, despite concerns about adverse patient outcomes. While other tools suggest improved communication, none focus specifically on communication skills for team followers, nor do they provide techniques to immediately challenge authority and escalate assertiveness at a given moment in real time. This article presents data that show one such strategy, called the Effective Followership Algorithm, offering statistically significant improvements in team communication across the professional continuum from students and residents to experienced clinicians.