We’ve all had those placements where we’ve felt like a real part of the team, where we’ve felt really valued and included, and that we’ve got to know our colleagues even in our short time in a given area. Even in my experience, I know the opposite can also be true. We sometimes experience friction or conflict within and between teams on placement, and that can really impact on our learning experiences and perceptions of placements and even of entire specialties.

In this episode, we talk about what makes a good team, how we as medical students can help to integrate ourselves into teams and why this is so important for our patients and colleagues.

Our expert guest, Professor Michael West, has published over 200 articles and written, edited or co-edited 20 books on teamwork, leadership and culture. A professor of Work and Organisational Psychology at Lancaster University, he is an expert in compassionate leadership and in team and organisational innovation and effectiveness, especially in relation to healthcare services

Articles discussed in the podcast:

Tannenbaum SI., & Cerasoli CP. (2013). Do team and individual debriefs enhance performance? A meta-analysis. Hum Factors. 2013 Feb;55(1):231-45. doi: 10.1177/0018720812448394. PMID: 23516804.

West, M., & Coia, D. (2019). Caring for Doctors Caring for Patients. London: General Medical Council. Available online at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/caring-for-doctors-caring-for-patients_pdf-80706341.pdf