Group Development in Healthcare Teams Growth and Development - Essay Example

Individual reflective paper Name Date Course Individual Reflective Paper Introduction Working collaboratively on a team project is an important concept for the healthcare workers. This is because the process plays an essential role in ensuring that the participants are equipped with fresh knowledge and skills. Leadership skills are also enhanced among the medical professional. Leadership is important in ensuring that the medical professionals are able to lead their teams to success in the course of carrying out their duties. Collaborative working is also important for the healthcare workers as most of the issues in the sector require teamwork among the different professional and it also exposes them to the concepts of diversity. This is because each group always has members from diverse cultures, background, gender or professional expertise. This improves the experience of the members in terms of dealing with the clients from diverse groups. It is also important to note that the process can be met with different challenges depending on the structures that have been put in place to govern the operations of the team (Bonebright, 2010). A collaborative seminar was aimed at discussing the aspects of quality and innovations in the field of nursing and midwifery. The paper is therefore, a reflection of my personal experience in working with the collaborative team during the discussions and operations of our team. Team roles Each of the group members had a role to play during the collaboration process. This was aimed at ensuring that the team is efficient in its operations. Each member was to contribute towards discussing a specific topic in nursing and midwifery. The group members had both the passive and active members. This is a characteristic that is found in any group due to the diverse nature of the group members. Tuckman's theory was used for the purpose of developing the group and ensuring that it is united. A leader was selected and his main objective was to ensure that the team operates in accordance to the plans that had been discussed. Despite the presence of a leader in the group, the decision making process was carried out as group. This ensures that each of the group members is involved in the processes (Hurt, 2012). However, it is also important to note that each of the group members had a responsibility of ensuring that the goals and objectives of the team were achieved. I was a passive member although I played an important role in carrying out research about different topics with regards to nursing and midwifery. I considered myself as a follower in the group as opposed to being a leader. This is because I did not participate in most of the leadership aspects within the team. However, my contribution to the group played an essential role in ensuring that it achieves its aims and objectives. Each team member had to perform their roles effectively for the purpose of ensuring that the group is able to deliver on its aims and objectives. Rules and regulations were put together by the group in order to ensure that each group member performs their roles responsibly. The assigning of roles of to the group member was based on the nature and abilities of the group member. Every group member was assigned tasks and responsibilities that they were good at. Presentation of the findings was also dependant on the abilities of the individuals in the group. The group decided that each member should participate by coming up with their own reports regarding a particular topic of interest and presenting them. As a passive member, I was able to learn a lot from the team members as I was always listening carefully to their presentations. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the activities of the team members must be acceptable to the whole group (Seck, 2014). The group was able to achieve its goals and objectives as the group members were willing to share their expertise. The close working relationship between the group members was also important in ensuring that the members carried out their duties effectively. Each of the group members was satisfied with their roles which contributed to the efficiency within the group. On the other hand, the group members were also free to consult with each other when carrying out their duties. How the input of each member was treated and the handling of divergent opinions Each member of the group was supposed to be contributing towards the success of the group. This was through participating in decision making and also contributing their ideas towards solving any issues facing the group. The group encouraged everyone to express their opinions or make their suggestions regarding any of the issues under discussion. The input of each member was treated with a lot of respect and importance regardless of the nature of the input. The group valued the input of each member as it contributed towards the success of the aims and objectives of the group. My input was well treated by the group members and each of the group members supported me during the process. However, after each member had made their contributions, it had to be discussed by the entire group for the purpose of enabling the other members to determine the relevance of the input. Incase a member had made inputs that were not relevant, it was corrected as a team and the member would be informed o the limitations of their inputs. None of the member was criticized for presenting inputs that were not relevant to the group. This played an essential role in encouraging the members to contribute. The concept of Tuckman’s theory was used throughout the group discussions which ensured that the group was always united. The treatment of the input of the group members determines the effectiveness of the group (Anstadt, 2013). The group had members had diverse experience and ideas and the members had divergent opinions. This means that the activities of the group were not always smooth due to the divergent opinions. Sometimes, the members disagreed due to the divergent opinions among them. However the group had long anticipated this issue due to the diverse nature of such forms groups. A mechanism was thus put in place for the purpose of handling the divergent views of the members. Each of the divergent view was presented to the group and it was analyzed by all the members on a step by step basis. This played an important role in dealing with the divergent opinions. On the other hand, it is also important to not that the divergent opinions may contribute to conflicts with a group (Cogdell, 2011). This has the potential of impacting negatively on the operations of the group. The mechanism that was put in place by the group was also useful in minimizing any conflict and misunderstanding among the group members. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the group was able to work together well and no issues arose in the group despite the divergent opinions. As a result of the cooperation among the group members, a good working relationship was developed which enhanced the operations of the group .This ensured that each of the member was free to express their opinions regardless of how divergent it was. Any group member was also free to express any concern that they had in relation to the operations of the group. Communication Process The communication process within the group was important as it served the purpose of ensuring that each of the team members was aware of the activities to be performed. Communication within a group is important in ensuring that each member is aware of the activities taking place and what is required of them (Abbas, 2012). Various communication channels were utilized by the group for the purposes of making contact with each of the group member. Electronic and social media channel were used for the purposes of communication. The use of social media was for the purposes of updating the members of the discussions that were to take place and what was required of them. This method was effective in the group as every member was conversant with the social media. Effective communication among the group members was useful in coordinating the activities of the group. The group had earlier made a decision of using the social media as the main communication channel and it enhanced the operations of the group. On the other hand the use of other electronic communication was also utilized. The use of the computer technology was utilized for communication purposes. Emails were sent to the group members as a means of electronic communication. Each of the member was equipped with the technological tools which enabled the communication to take place effectively. Technology plays an essential role in enhancing the communication process within an organization. It also ensures that the process is simplified. In terms of communication, actions and strategies were required in order to avoid any communication problem. The use of the social media was commonly made use of during the process. However, each message that was posted on the social media was also posted on the other electronic channel. This strategy was used for the purposes of ensuring that each of the member received the message incase one of the method failed. On the other hand, each of the group member played a role in ensuring that the other members have receive the required information. This was through the interaction of the members on a daily basis. Time was allocated for the members to interact with each other physically and through the social media. The constant interaction between the members was able to solve the communication problems as each member ensured that the other is aware of any new information and the processes that were taking place in the group. On the other hand, mobile phones were also used for communication process. The use of text messages was utilized for communication when the internet problems affected the use of social media and email. The communication problems were thus dealt with effectively through the measures that were put in place. It is however notable that the group encountered few communication problems. The communication process within a group has a potential of affecting its operations (Rohrich, 2013). When communicating to the audience the projectors were utilized in order to improve on the presentation process. Team Interaction The concepts of Tuckman’s theory were utilized for the operations of the team. This also involved the interaction among the team members. The group encouraged frequent interaction and among the team members for the purposes of ensuring that the members are free with reach other. During the initial operations of the team the interactions among the members was minimal. This is because the team members did know each other well and they were not used to each other. This had some effects during the sessions as the level of interaction was also low. Personally, my interaction with the other team members was not frequent during the initial stages of the group development. However, with time as the members were introduced to each other and different activities required c lose consultations among the team members, the interaction changed. Changes in the interaction had a positive effect on the group as the members were able to work closely with each other. Consultations among the team members are usually enhanced during the process due to the close interactions among the group members (Rosen, 2014). The discussions that were held during the group activities also encouraged the interaction among the members. This also provided an opportunity to the members to consult with each other. The operations of the group were thus carried out smoothly through the frequent interaction. The group did not witness any conflict among its members due to the frequent interactions that encouraged the members to work together for the common interest of the group. The changes in the interaction among the team members played a significant role in enabling the group to grow. It also encourages the frequent consultation among the members which was useful in enabling the group to deal with the challenges that were encountered. The increased level of interaction between the members played an essential role in tackling the problems that arose during the discussion process. This contributed to the harmonious relationship among the members. Through frequent interaction, the members were also able to learn more about the importance of diversity in a team. The respect among the members was also enhanced through the frequent interaction and consultations. The need to find solutions for various aspects within the team also enhanced the process of interaction among the team members. In order to solve problems within the team, the members had to interact frequently and this contributed to the changes in the interaction process among the members. The team members also noted that the delivery of the results was dependant on the level of interaction. On the other hand, the enhanced communication channel and the use of the social media encouraged the communication process among the team members. The level of interaction between the members is important in determining the success of the team (West, 2012). In vibrant and diverse teams, the level of communication is usually high. The theory of Tuckman’s stages of group development was thus beneficial to the team as it enhanced the level of interaction among the members. Conclusion In conclusion, it is worth noting that the group was able to achieve its goals and objectives through the strategies that were put in place. Tuckman’s theory of group development played an essential role in ensuring that the team was able to achieve growth and development. The roles that were assigned to each of the team members were also useful in equipping the group with the required expertise to carry out its duties. An effective communication strategy and channel that were used by the team encourage close working relationship among the members and as a result there was no conflict among the team members. The communication channel also involved the use of the social media which promoted interaction among the members. Opinions of each member were respected regardless of how divergent it was. This helped in encouraging the team members to participate actively in the team discussions. The success of a group is thus dependant on the strategies that have been put in place and the levels of interaction among the group members. List of References Bonebright, D, 2010, 40 years of storming: a historical review of Tuckman's model of small group development, Human Resource Development International, 13(1), 111-120. Hurt, A, 2012, The Punctuated-Tuckman’s: A Conceptual Model for the Integration of Tuckman’s, PEM, and Systems Group Development Theories, Leadership & Organizational Management Journal, 2012(1). Abbas, S, 2012, Global group work, Groupwork, 22(1), 78-98. Seck, M, 2014, Faculty Development of a Joint MSW Program Utilizing Tuckman's Model of Stages of Group Development, Social Work With Groups, 37(2), 158-168. Anstadt, S, 2013, Millennial Students: A Course Design Logic Model Utilizing Group Work Skill Development, Currents in Teaching & Learning, 5. Cogdell, B, 2011, Peer-assessment of group work in a large class: development of a staff and student friendly system, Self-and Peer-assessment: guidance on practice in the biosciences, 49-51. Rohrich, R, 2013, So, how do you do high-performance teamwork? Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 131(5), 1203-1204. Rosen, N, 2014, Teamwork and the bottom line: groups make a difference, Psychology Press. West, M, 2012, Effective teamwork: Practical lessons from organizational research, John Wiley & Sons. Read More