Intentional or Not: Teamwork Learning at Primary Care Clinics.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Primary Care
• Teamwork in Healthcare

Background:

• Physician satisfaction and stress are impacted by primary care teamwork.
• The effect of outpatient primary care teamwork on resident learning is not well-described.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand the role of teamwork in primary care residents' learning experiences.
• To explore how team-based care influences education during and after team establishment.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with 37 primary care residents.
• Exploration of residents' perceptions of team-based care's impact on their educational experience in outpatient clinics.

Main Results:

• Residents learned about and through teamwork, gaining insights into clinical systems, patient care, and procedural skills.
• Teamwork fostered an understanding of improved patient care and efficiency.
• Residents recognized team-based care as a model for future practice through varied team experiences.

Conclusions:

• Teamwork serves as an intentional learning method for primary care residents.
• Healthcare educators should leverage team members beyond preceptors for resident instruction.
• Team-based workplace learning prepares residents to optimize patient care through collaboration.