Our learning group has been overall successful in conducting productive meetings and completing tasks in a timely manner and at the desired quality level. However, there are aspects that can be improved in order to make meetings run more smoothly.
The success can be attributed to several factors. One of the most important factors leading to successful meetings is setting clear goals and an agenda before the actual meeting. Being that all group members have demanding jobs and families to attend to, we have been able to avoid wasting time meeting for things that can be done via email or over the group discussion forum. Instead, we have identified the tasks that require of all the team members’ presence and set up face-to-face meetings to discuss only those things. Moreover, the group has created an atmosphere of trust in which all members feel comfortable expressing their ideas freely. Group discussion, active listening and constructive criticism are encouraged. Finally, we have been able to compromise and make group decisions that leave everyone satisfied.
The learning group could improve success in conducting meetings and performing group tasks/projects by focusing on staying on topic. Instead of socializing during the meeting, team members could be rewarded with socialization time once the team goals have been met. At the same time, team members could contribute to time management by adequately preparing and gathering all materials needed prior to the meeting.
In health care settings, effective meetings may be the first step in achieving other goals such as high quality care for patients, therefore it is most important that strategies, like the ones described above, are applied.