Measuring teamwork in health care settings

Objective. To identify and review survey instruments used to assess dimensions of teamwork, a vital input to delivering quality care, so as to facilitate high quality research on this topic. Data sources. The ISI Web of Knowledge database, which includes articles from MEDLINE, Social Science Citation Index, and Science Citation Index. Study design. We conducted a systematic review of articles published before January 2010 to identify survey instruments used to measure teamwork and to assess their conceptual content, psychometric validity, and relationships to outcomes of interest. Data extraction. We identified relevant articles using the search terms team, teamwork, work groups, or collaboration, in combination with survey or questionnaire. Principal findings. We found 35 surveys that measured teamwork. Surveys differed in the dimensions of teamwork that they assessed. The most commonly assessed dimensions were communication, coordination and respect. Of the 35 surveys, nine met all of the criteria for psychometric validity and 13 have shown significant relationship to non-self-report outcomes. Conclusions. "Teamwork" can refer to many different behavioral processes and emergent states, making it challenging and critical for researchers to develop a theory of teamwork consistent with their research context before selecting a survey. Psychometric validity is also vitally important. This review can help researchers identify high-quality teamwork surveys.