Effective teamworking in gastroenterology

The majority of healthcare provision within the NHS is delivered by teams, but most attempts at improving team functioning are limited to promoting working relationships within the team. This contrasts with other high risk industries, where formalised team training is recognised to be of paramount importance in reducing error. Some medical specialities have adapted such training methodologies with the aim of improving productivity and clinical outcomes. There are many teams within gastroenterology that could benefit from such attention. Formal analysis of team objectives and identification of essential task sequences can allow redesign of team organisation and enable structured training to strengthen team cohesion, enhance critical team skills and improve clinical outcomes. The challenge is to change teams of experts into expert teams.