C LI NI CA L E DITOR IAL
THE IMPORTANCE OF A TEAM APPROACH DURING THE SEATING AND WHEELED MOBILITY EVALUATION Written by: TABATHA JAMES, OTR/L, ATP, SMS
across the spectrum of age and ability. As a result, clinicians become more adept in the soft skills (see Figure 1) that create psychological safety, a prerequisite for the vulnerability needed to explore and address the various health inequities of individuals and communities.
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. —Aristotle
THE BEDROCK Effective teamwork is a recipe required for any successful process or organization. Inclusive by design, teamwork is an organized effort focused on a central mission or goal, with equal opportunities to be the student and the teacher. Teams work best in nonjudgmental environments that nurture trust, innovation and critical thinking. These ingredients set the stage for rich and creative information exchanges where peak performance flows. Strategic teamwork produces a synergy of quality ideas and solutions far greater than any one person could accomplish alone.
TEAMWORK IN A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Research supports a multidisciplinary, multimodal team approach to health care – across disciplines, teamwork promotes best practices, ethical decision making and optimizes clinical outcomes (Epstein, 2014).
TEAMWORK IN SEATING AND WHEELED MOBILITY The seating and wheeled mobility (SWM) team approach is a holistic and interdependent effort grounded in academic rigor, skill and compassion. It is a niche area of practice but no different in clinical intent or integrity than other fields of specialized medicine. The SWM evaluation is a specialty evaluation layered with multiple complexities, prescribed throughout the lifespan. During the SWM evaluation, expertise must be available to address clinical considerations for disorder/disease management as it relates to product choice, resource utilization and environmental factors (see Figure 2).
Applying client-centered, collaborative efforts in each clinical setting creates ripple effects for clinicians and consumers. Clinicians who regularly engage in discourse with their academic and industry colleagues contribute broader perspectives and skills to their practice. In addition to experiencing higher rates of productivity and efficacy, further personal and professional development is gained by absorbing each other’s strengths. An integrative team experience allows for discoveries of new concepts, talents and wisdom to guide strong interventions while avoiding past mistakes. A diverse and dynamic team is more equipped to drive comprehensive, value-driven care. Working to deepen our understanding of the human condition and the lived experiences of another establishes authentic, culturally competent relationships
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FIGURE1
Soft Skills
