Individual versus interprofessional team performance in formulating care transition plans: A randomised study of...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare education
• Team-based care
• Interprofessional collaboration

Background:

• Healthcare delivery is shifting towards team-based care models.
• Effective management of care transitions is crucial for interprofessional teamwork.
• Evaluating trainee performance in teams is increasingly important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the quality of care transition plans formulated by individuals versus teams.
• To examine the relationship between team process quality and care transition plan quality.
• To investigate the correlation between team process quality and overall team performance.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods study with a crossover design.
• Health professions trainees were randomized to work individually and in teams.
• External raters assessed care transition plans, team process, and team performance.

Main Results:

• Care transition plan quality did not differ significantly between individuals and teams (p=0.42).
• Team process quality did not correlate with care transition plan quality (r=-0.172, p=0.659).
• Team process quality significantly correlated with overall team performance (r=0.692, p=0.039).
• Teams with engaged recorders and internal debriefs produced higher-quality plans.

Conclusions:

• High-quality interprofessional care transition plans may necessitate specific team strategies.
• Advance instruction and structured teamwork are important for finalizing care transition plans.
• While teamwork enhances overall performance, specific interventions are needed to improve plan quality.