Impact of Complacency and Lack of Assertiveness on Interprofessional Surgical & Medical Teams in Health and Social Care

Abstract

Importance:

Health care system has high pressure job settings where members from different disciplines interplay. Interprofessional teams in this system have a dynamic environment where doctors, nurses, medical staff and social workers come together to make decisions of prime importance for patients’ health and safety. Traditionally interprofessional surgical teams have prevalence of hierarchy. Team members from different professional background are not given equal liberty to raise their concerns. Reluctance and lack of role clarity results in loss of critical thinking and active engagement in complex environment of operating room. Coordination and cooperation between surgical team members are essential components for better service delivery. Lack of job clarity, job satisfaction, lack of assertiveness and dominance of doctors and nurses are some of the important factors that should be dealt with to improve future practice of social workers in health department. Their identity building will require confidence, persistence and assertiveness.