UK Higher Education OUP Humanities & Social Sciences Health & Social Welfare

The delivery of health care in the NHS today relies on two key factors: specialization among clinicians as technology and knowledge of the human body expand, and secondly an increasing understanding that the patient is not simply the sum total of his or her symptoms. The whole person has to be worked with, and different specialists within health care must work together to provide that care. Multi-disciplinary teams are the linchpin of effective modern health care.

This timely, practical guide offers an introduction to the successful management of cross-functional health care teams. With advice on teambuilding, leadership, setting goals and making team cultures work for you, Paul Gorman''s lively book provides a wealth of tips and techniques to help improve team operation. Illustrated throughout with case studies, the book provides valuable advice specific to the needs of health care professionals. Among the topics covered in detail are:

• what makes a multi-disciplinary team successful;
• improving communication in teams;
• the practicalities of multi-agency working;
• the role of patients and carers in the team; and
• dealing with dysfunctional teams.