Team Relationships

Abstract

Palliative care is a team endeavor. Through teamwork, palliative care uniquely tailors care plans to the needs of children impacted by complex illnesses and their families. The creation, growth, and sustainability of highly functional teams are not automatic. Team relationships are influenced by the inherent structure and composition of team members, and optimal team functioning requires attention to team dynamics. In this chapter, core team processes that support team functioning are defined (e.g., cognition, collaboration, coaching, communication) and their bidirectional impact on relational states (e.g., cohesion, trust, and psychological safety) are described. Practical strategies for supporting the health and well-being of the team and its individual members are presented. Common challenges of interdisciplinary teams are discussed.