In order to effectively respond to identified health needs: Health persons must be able to work within a team framework in which problem solving is approached in an integrated manner. The team must communicate information to communities and individuals and develop mechanisms which facilitate their involvement in all health activities. The health team must also establish communication links with other sectors and promote intersectoral collaboration.

1. PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
(EHT 106)
SIR OAK
(ACCRA SCHOOL OF HYGIENE)

2. LECTURE FOUR
Health Team

3. Learning objective:
After completing this topic, students are expected to:
• explain the need for the health service team;
• describe the characteristics of a health team;
• Identify the advantages and problems of healthcare team;
• mention the functions of health management team.

4. Introduction
In order to effectively respond to identified health needs:
• Health persons must be able to work within a team framework in
which problem solving is approached in an integrated manner.
• The team must communicate information to communities and
individuals and develop mechanisms which facilitate their
involvement in all health activities.
• The health team must also establish communication links with
other sectors and promote intersectoral collaboration.

5. Introduction cont…
The need for a better-integrated health care team occurs because of:
 Poor communication: - Lack of integrated record keeping system
result in an uneven and incomplete exchange of information among
the professionals who provide health care services.
 Duplications of services: Lack of coordination and
communication at times leads to duplication of services.
 Lack of patient focus: When health care professionals do not
work well together, patients feel that commitment to them as
individuals in need of care is lost.

6. Definition of Health Team
• Health team is a group of people who share a common health goals
and common objectives determines by community need to the
achievement of which each member of the team contribute in
according to his or her competence and skills and in coordination
with the function of others.
• The division of labor among medical, nursing and allied health
practitioners means that no single professional can deliver a
complete episode of healthcare.
• All personnel working in the primary health care post constitute the
health team.

7. Definition of Health Team Cont…
• Members of health team may include:
Doctors,
Physician Assistants,
Nurses,
Pharmacists,
Dentists,
Therapists & rehabilitation specialists,
 Nutritionist,
Environmental health officers,
Community health workers, etc.
• The term does not refer only to the personnel concerned with the
health care directly but also other supporting staff such as divers,
clerks, and storekeepers working in the health institution.

8. Categories of health team
There are two (2) main kinds of health team within the
health delivery system, namely:
•Healthcare team (service providing team)
•Health management team.

9. Characteristics health care team
• Community/Patient centered focus: A good team must prioritize
meeting the community/patient’s need by considering and respecting
the values and preferences of target population.
• Establishment of a common goal: it is critical that all team
members know what a successful outcome for health care will be like.
• Confidence on other team members: Each member must be able
to trust the work of others.
• Flexibility in roles: if meeting the agreed upon objective calls for
changes or flexibility in roles, team members must be prepared to act
accordingly.

10. Characteristics of health care team cont…
• Mechanisms for conflict resolution: A successful health care
team adopt a specific mechanism clearly understood by all for
resolving conflict.
• Development of effective communication: The use of common
vocabulary enhances good team communication.
• Shared responsibility for team action: Each team member
shares fully the responsibility for actions of the team as a group.
• Evaluation and feedback: A specific mechanism must be
developed for ongoing evaluation of a team’s effectiveness and
redesign activities where needed.

11. Advantages of health team
• Improved community/patient responsiveness: Health care
providers working as a team can be more responsive to changes as
they occur.
• Overall satisfaction: Community/patients are more satisfied with
their care when health care professionals collaborate.
• Improved efficiency: Team tend to be more efficient and utilize
resources better.
• Increased effectiveness: Each team member brings on board
his/her special area of work to achieve a common goal.

12. Problems that can militate against a health team.
• Takes time
• Personality clashes
• Some people work better alone
• Reduced innovation and new ideas
• Organizational challenges
• Blame and responsibility issues
• Communication breakdown
• Too many meetings
• Factionalism
• Leadership issues
• Etc.

13. The functions of a health management team
• They mobilize and distribute resources.
• They ensure training of personnel.
• They supervise and monitor activities in the hospital.
• They collate information for planning purposes.
• They ensure access to quality of care.

14. Thank you