Communication Rx: Transforming Healthcare Through Relationship-Centered Communication

CHAPTER 12

Communicating Effectively on Healthcare Teams

As healthcare systems change, one area that is becoming more and more critical is teamwork. Nowadays, even a solo clinician in practice typically depends on a whole team of individuals, including nurses and support assistants, to get the work done. Emergency departments and surgical practices need more staff than ever before, including roles in trauma rooms and operating theaters. Inpatient settings have also seen a vast increase in necessary staff: in the 1970s, there were approximately 2.5 employees for every hospitalized patient—in the 1990s that number had increased to 15.¹

Nearly every healthcare worker has had mixed experiences with working as part of a team. Similar to having multiple ...