5. Workplace Culture: Efficiency or Feelings?

The organization of healthcare in institutions is often focused on efficiency and standardized operating systems, but the actual work of providing care is dependent on the quality of relationships. Building and maintaining positive relationships takes time, focus, and energy; hence ‘relationship’ is often de-prioritized in favor of action and expedience. However, evidence shows that sacrificing the time required to establish and maintain relationships ultimately reduces both efficient delivery of care and provider satisfaction.

Anticipating and Debriefing

When teams are able to acknowledge their interdependence and attend to their own relationship dynamics, they function better. To improve team functioning, teams can use “process protocols” by talking about what the team members are going to do or expect from each other and engaging in team debriefs to review how they functioned as a team after an event (1). By anticipating each team member’s expectations, roles, and contributions, and by acknowledging successes and challenges soon after a shared care event, misunderstandings and confusion can be avoided. Well-functioning teams are able to personalize care and problem solve creatively.