Measurement of Change in Rehabilitation Team Dynamics With the Team Assessment Profile (TAP)

Abstract

Teamwork is fundamental in rehabilitation, yet research on team structure and function is lacking. The Teamwork Assessment Profile (TAP) is a rehab specific survey instrument for team dynamics used before and after institution of a novel team format, Issue Oriented Rehabilitation Staffing (IORS), on a rehabilitation unit. With IORS, a “Person Responsible” leads each “Issue.” Highly structured team meetings focus on team coordination, not reporting or documentation. Statistically significant team dynamic changes occurred on the TAP after IORS, including team interdependence, length of staffing, and percent of staffing time viewed as useful. Sample size and uncontrolled covariables limit conclusions, but the TAP demonstrated face validity. IORS is a viable staffing format. Measurement of team dynamics may improve quality and efficiency of rehabilitation teams.