TEAMWORK IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Malaysia is currently recognized by other countries as one of the best countries in providing an excellent healthcare system. Healthcare systems usually refer to the system or program by which health care is made available, namely hospitals. The teamwork component in all sectors is the most crucial to bring forth excellent or the best hospital services.

Why teamwork becomes a vital aspect of excellent services? It is because clinical care nowadays becomes more complex and specialized, and the demand of people or patients who seek medical treatment has increased significantly. The types of medical attention have also become more complex and challenging to manage by healthcare providers.

Working at a hospital is like a team sport. In order to win a soccer match, the striker and all team players need to be experts to ensure all positions play their roles effectively. Typically, a striker is not expected to have the same skillset as a defender, but they both value and encourage the efforts of teammates who have the same goal to perform their best. The value of teamwork should be acknowledged by all players as they work together towards the team’s same mission to defeat the opponents, thus become the top team.

It is the same as working in the hospital; doctors and nurses are a team. Doctors need cooperation from the nurses and vice versa. Doctors are responsible for making a diagnosis of patients so that they can devise treatment plans for their patients. Meanwhile, nurses need the doctor’s diagnosis to get comprehensible management for them to contrive care plans for the patients. This culture in the job description makes it significant for both of them to respect each other and work together in providing the best treatment to patients and avoid medical errors in treating patients.

“There is no ‘I’ in ‘Team’”. Each team member in a healthcare organization has her/his strength and weakness. The value of collaboration and mutual support makes the team more valuable in terms of job and communication excellence. Senior staff can teach and share knowledge with new staff. Moreover, nurses can put forward ideas and suggestions to doctors. There are no barriers for them to discuss and perform job-related tasks together to ensure the job descriptions are fulfilled. All staff should set aside all gaps that exist and work together as a team to create a favorable working environment.

It is also important to note that teamwork does not only benefit the organization.  Collaboration should increase job satisfaction and lead to better results. Working in a team allows nurses or other healthcare staff the opportunity to come up with creative ideas and offer a greater sense of belonging. It is awesome, isn’t it? As a result, excellent teamwork by all staff will benefit the patients or customers of the hospital greatly.

In a nutshell, “alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”. The value of teamwork has a powerful impact on healthcare organizations. Collaboration upholds the healthcare system standing strong to provide excellent services to customers and patients. Thus, the mission and vision of the healthcare organization can be achieved.

Mohamad Mazlan Razali
Cardiovascular Technologist/ Specialist Nurse
Special Diagnostic Department
KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital