A review of the literature on teamwork competencies in healthcare practice and training: Implications for undergraduate medical education

Abstract

Successful teamwork is being recognized as a necessity for many aspects of effective healthcare and team training has proved effective in improving teamwork in healthcare. Therefore it is important to recognize the competencies of teamwork relevant to undergraduate medical education. This review of the literature draws on the teamwork competencies as discussed through diverse contexts of healthcare practice and health professions education and summarizes the competencies that are required with emphasis on undergraduate medical education. It highlights some practice points to medical educators; such as understanding the contexts of healthcare teams, understanding generic competencies of healthcare teamwork and understanding the specific team contexts and teamwork competencies required of trainees that should be emphasized in undergraduate education.