Teamwork at Mater Dei hospital : an organisational perspective.

Abstract

Literature widely supports the presence of a team-based organisation. However, despite this little is known about how the organisational structure and context affects teamwork. This study is one of a few studies that have focused on the organisational aspect of teamwork. The aim of this study was to determine and analyse the extent to which teamwork is facilitated by the organisational context and structure of the acute general hospital in Malta.

A qualitative research design of a case study is used. Data triangulation has been achieved through the use of interviews to collect data from three levels of management as well as from focus groups to collect data from two teams identified within Mater Dei hospital. Data collected has been analysed using a content analysis approach. Results showed that a commitment to the existence of teams and a team approach are present in Mater Dei hospital. However, this is still at a preliminary stage. Despite the presence of a number of adequate contextual and structural factors which support teamwork a number of features are lacking within the organisation. Additionally, team and teamwork are more predominant and are supported at the managerial and administrative level of the organisation rather than at a clinical1evel. There are a number of issues arising from the findings in this study that provide important recommendations to the management of Mater Dei hospital. Areas which need to be addressed in order to enhance teamwork include accessibility of

organisational strategy, power distance in organisational hierarchy structure, communication systems, proximity of team members, interprofessional meetings, and feedback. The results obtained also acknowledge areas of recommendations for education. These consisted of the training of management, learning in the working environment, continuous training, teamwork training, and the education of employees on work roles. It is essential that Mater Dei hospital strives to become a team-based organisation. This prospect of shifting to a group oriented organisation is attractive since there is tremendous performance potential in a well-directed, well-structured, and well-supported team-based organisation.