Teamwork baseline assessment tool: Sparking teamwork dialogues in health professions training

Abstract

What was the educational challenge?

A major challenge in health professions education is to equip graduates with essential teamwork skills, addressing cognitive, motivational, and emotional barriers that hinder effective collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds.

What was the solution and how was this implemented?

The Teamwork Baseline Assessment Tool (TBAT) was developed as an innovative solution to teach collaboration and teamwork, focusing on growth mindsets, reactions to challenging scenarios, and ideal team player attributes. Implemented during the orientation for new first-year students, TBAT facilitated early engagement in teamwork discussions, with students receiving personalised reports to aid in self-reflection and development.

What lessons were learned?

Key lessons included the importance of initiating teamwork conversations early, the value of personalised feedback in promoting self-awareness and peer understanding, and the effectiveness of TBAT in providing instructors with insights into students’ teamwork aptitudes.

What are the next steps?

Expanding TBAT across various student populations and integrating it into the curriculum aims to provide continuous opportunities for applying and reinforcing teamwork and collaboration skills. This strategy will support the development of targeted instructional approaches, fostering a collaborative learning environment and preparing students for the teamwork challenges in healthcare settings.

Keywords:

• Collaboration
• health professions education
• innovation
• metacognition
• teamwork

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Nilushi Karunaratne

Dr Nilushi Karunaratne, BBiomedSc (Hons), PhD, is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University.

Kayley Lyons

Dr Kayley Lyons, MS, PharmD, PhD, is the Digital Health Workforce and Development Lead at the Centre for Digital Transformation of Health, University of Melbourne.

Emilee Molcik

Ms Emilee Molcik, B. Pharm. Sci. (Hons), is a student researcher at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University.

Betty Exintaris

Dr Betty Exintaris, B.Sci. (Hons), PhD, GCHE, is the Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University.