Teams use both informal and formal mechanisms for communication. Informal means of communication include, for example, “hallway consultations” and placing “sticky notes” on charts or computer screens.9 Formal mechanisms of communication include regularly scheduled team meetings, for both clinical and administrative matters, and documentation through minutes and memorandums.10–12 Drinka and Clark10 underline the importance of delineating specific tasks to be accomplished before, during, and after team meetings, such as creating an agenda before the meeting with the appropriate individual assigned to each agenda item, having all personal electronic devices turned off during meetings, and agreeing on an action plan during the meeting for follow-up afterward. Of 8 factors related to team effectiveness, Higgins and Routhieaux12 emphasize regular team meetings and clearly delineated team plans.
Bridging both formal and informal means of communication within primary health care teams (PHCTs) is the growing use of medical informatics, including the electronic health record and computerized messaging systems.13,14 The latter promotes the timely and efficient transfer of information for both clinical and administrative issues among team members.15 Improving the flow of information, as well as access to information, can serve to improve the quality of communication within the team and thereby improve patient care.16
As PHCTs grow in size and scope of practice, communication will become more complex.15 Therefore, instituting effective mechanisms of communication on the team will be essential to ensuring coordinated and timely patient care, as well as administrative efficiency.15 Given that communication is considered the hallmark of effective teamwork, what do today’s primary health care professionals view as the key ingredients of and important barriers to successful communication within their teams? This paper examines the mechanisms for communication PHCTs are currently using and what members of the PHCTs perceive to be the successes and challenges of communication in their teams.