1. What are the differences between a team, a task force, and a committee? What are some of the potential differences in dynamics between people in these different groups? A team is a group of people, working together to achieve a common goal. Teams typically include individuals with complementary skills who are committed to a common approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. (Buchbinder & Shanks, 2012, p. 288) Task force may be commissioned for several years by a professional association or institute to examine issues in healthcare services delivery, such as medical errors and patient safety. These groups focus on a specific agenda, have a limited term of tenure, and disband when a report or book is issued. (p. 290) A quality assurance committee comprised of individuals from many departments may have people appointed to 3-year terms. At the end of that time, a person whose term has expired steps down, but the committee and the work of the committee lives on. Committees such as these usually have a person for whom this area is their full-time job, but representatives of multiple disciplines and areas …show more content…
Developing teams and facilitating team activities are recognized competencies for healthcare managers. However, there is little formal preparation in teamwork in undergraduate and graduate healthcare management education programs. Conflicts between physicians and nurses are often due to physicians’ refusal to embrace teamwork. Physicians and nurses work from a clinical framework, advocating at the individual level for patients and families. Healthcare managers are trained to look at population level and organization wide issues. (pp.