Selladurai, Raj

This chapter focuses on key factors that impact effective teamwork in healthcare organizations, including a case study on the applications of a teamwork model at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Studies have found positive correlations among effective teamwork, patient care, and provider satisfaction. Key factors such as teamwork training, leaderless online group discussion, servant leadership, and top management support lead to effective teamwork, which would positively impact the quadruple aim—patient experience, high-quality and safe delivery of patient care, lower costs, and provider satisfaction.

This chapter explores, analyzes, and discusses the challenges and potential recommendations for the unprecedented physician shortage affecting US healthcare systems. As a result, patients are waiting long periods to get an appointment, and in many cases, even longer to see a physician. Especially older patients who may need immediate attention and medical care end up waiting several weeks. Healthcare seems to be facing a crisis that is getting worse by the day. How did we get here, why, and what do we do about it are some of the questions addressed in this chapter.