The new paradigm of crew resource management: just what is needed to re-engage the stalled collaborative movement?

The literature is replete with examples of collaborative studies and research from 1960 to about 1995, after which the movement seems to have lost momentum. With the emergence and focus on patient safety issues, the importance of collaboration and a team approach to patient care has become paramount. CRM is a communication methodology developed by the aviation industry, based on team-centered decision making systems. Once we have identified the key components of a successful collaborative model, it is imperative that we incorporate them into the health care providers' educational curriculum, both in training as well as in the practice setting. Effective communication must be identified as a necessary skill, and collaboration as a conscious, learned behavior. The dream of collaboration has been deferred long enough, and CRM shows promise for re-igniting the collaborative movement.