Communication and teamwork is the skill of working in a team context to ensure that the team has an acceptable shared picture of the situation and can complete tasks effectively. It includes:
- exchanging information
- establishing a shared understanding
- co-ordinating team activities.
Teamwork issues
Recurrent themes in Maternal Mortality reports include the:
- failure to recognise problems
- failure to refer
- inappropriate delegation
- lack of teamwork.
Good communication
Messages should be precise and clear. You shouldn't make assumptions. The message should be:
- addressed
- sent
- heard and understood.
Internal barriers to communication include:
- language differences
- culture
- motivation
- expectations
- past experience
- status
- emotions/moods.