Utilising Team-Based Care in Veterinary Settings: Lessons from Human Healthcare | Written by Phil Vidins, Vet Tech at Animal Emergency Service, Underwood
At Animal Emergency Australia, our commitment to enhancing workplace wellbeing is central to everything we do. Throughout this wellbeing series, we’ve explored key elements—from understanding the foundations of wellbeing to tackling psychosocial risks and implementing holistic interventions. One crucial component of the integrated approach is effective job design.
In this final installment, we turn our attention to a collaborative model called “Team-Based Care” (TBC). Although widely used in human healthcare, TBC has immense potential to benefit veterinary teams by boosting engagement, improving job satisfaction, enhancing patient outcomes, and reducing strain on systems. Let’s dive into how these principles can be adapted within AEA to create a more cohesive, resilient, and efficient workplace for our teams.
What is Team-Based Care?
Team-Based Care is a collaborative approach where diverse healthcare professionals work together, leveraging their unique skills and expertise to provide comprehensive patient care. It emphasises shared responsibility, open communication, and mutual support among team members. In human healthcare settings, TBC has been instrumental in enhancing team cohesion, improving patient outcomes, and reducing burnout.
The Benefits of Team-Based Care
- Enhanced Team Engagement and Job Satisfaction
- Shared Responsibility: Distributing tasks among team members allows individuals to focus on their strengths, reducing the burden on any single person and fostering a sense of shared mission.
- Mutual Support: Team members can rely on each other for emotional and professional support, creating a cohesive environment where everyone feels valued and engaged.
- Open Communication: Regular team meetings and collaborative decision-making promote transparency and trust, leading to higher job satisfaction and morale.
- Provide opportunities for stakeholders to use their skills and knowledge to the highest level.
Improved Patient Outcomes
- Comprehensive Care: By pooling their expertise, team members can provide more thorough and nuanced care, addressing both physical and emotional needs of patients. It is not only about the veterinary treatment plan but also about the nursing care plan and the communication plan that suits the owner also!
- Continuous Monitoring: With multiple professionals involved, patients receive more consistent monitoring and follow-up, reducing the chances of oversight. Reduced handover points means that there is streamlined and continuity of care for patients. Patients are triaged, receive their IO’s and commence treatment in much shorter time frames than traditional workflows.
- Enhanced Problem-Solving: Diverse perspectives enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning, ensuring patients receive the best possible care.
Reduced Strain on Systems
- Efficient Use of Resources: Team-Based Care optimises the use of available resources by matching tasks with the appropriate level of expertise, reducing redundancy and waste.
- Lower Burnout Rates: By distributing workloads and providing support networks, TBC helps mitigate burnout among professionals, contributing to a more sustainable workforce.
- Improved Retention: Higher job satisfaction and reduced stress levels lead to better retention rates, stabilizing staffing and reducing recruitment costs.
Applying Team-Based Care in Veterinary Settings
Formulate a Multidisciplinary Team
Invite veterinarians, veterinary nurses, technicians, and administrative staff to participate in the care process. What do each of these stakeholders do best, how can they work together to improve workflow and support the patients journey back to health.
Clearly define roles and responsibilities to ensure everyone knows their contributions are valued. Each team member should have an understanding of their workflow and also others in the team, understand hand over points and be able to provide feedback on improving workflow as required.
Team Based Care will look different in different settings. A general practice TBC workflow will look different to one in emergency or specialty care. Workflows in different hospitals may also differ. It is vital to have an understanding of the overarching goals of TBC and working with your team to achieve these goals.
Promote Open Communication
- Offer regular training sessions on teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution.
- Encourage professional development opportunities that align with team members’ individual interests and career goals
- TBC utilises open and ACTIVE communication throughout the shift so that each team member understands what is required of them and how they can best help.
- Establish regular team meetings to discuss cases, share insights, and make collaborative decisions on how to improve the workflow.
- Encourage open dialogue and feedback to continuously improve team dynamics and patient care practices.
Develop Shared Goals
- Create a unified mission statement that aligns with the values and objectives of the practice.
- Set collective goals for patient care and professional development, fostering a sense of shared purpose.
Leverage Technology
- Utilise digital tools for scheduling, communication, and record-keeping to enhance efficiency.
Provide Continuous Training and Development
- Offer regular training sessions on teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution.
- Encourage professional development opportunities that align with team members’ individual interests and career goals.
Encourage Work-Life Balance
- Support flexible work arrangements and respect personal boundaries to help team members maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Recognise and celebrate achievements to boost morale and reinforce the value of each team member’s contributions.
Adopting a Team-Based Care approach in veterinary settings can significantly enhance workplace wellbeing, improve patient outcomes, and promote a more sustainable practice. By fostering collaboration, shared responsibility, and open communication, we can create a supportive and resilient environment where both team members and patients thrive.
This blog series is intended to spark conversation, raise awareness, inspire individuals and drive change as we move forward together. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, we can make lasting, positive changes in the veterinary industry.
