Recent advancements in treatment practices inform potential solutions to sealing gaps in the American health system. Telemedicine presents an example of the improvements made to increase treatment services. Telemedicine has become accessible, and the examination and treatment of minor issues take few seconds virtually. Still, as the implementation of telemedicine continues, there is a concern about team cohesion among specialists.
Summary
The authors conceptualize that telemedicine increases cohesion among virtual teams of physicians in their examination of stroke specialists. In research conducted, thirteen telestroke specialists were interviewed. Their responses showed that working virtually with other specialists increased cohesion and teamwork as the specialists felt a sense of belonging (Patel et al., 2021). Virtual teams worked on defined goals that increased professional growth. This aspect increased their performance and effectiveness in the treatment of stroke. Thus, the researcher proposed that using this model can help administrators build team cohesion in virtual teams in other healthcare disciplines.
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The research results also revealed that telemedicine specialists' support for cohesion increased engagement, where specialists discussed particular cases' challenges and suggested treatment solutions. Unlike the on-site work environment, cohesion increases the sense of responsibility among patients and specialists.
The article summarizes related concepts in a thematic model that explains the outcome of satisfaction. The summary outlines how engagement and communication create team cohesion characterized by trust, shared purpose, and unique contribution. It also produces tolerance for technical issues, which results in satisfaction. They indicate that team cohesion mediates the link between satisfaction, communication, and engagement.
The article also recommends the support of secure and direct communication among specialists and administrators to increase team cohesion programs in modern health settings. This recommendation may strengthen cohesion since it relies on communication aspects. Furthermore, the authors point to the need to give meaningful roles to the specialist in program development. This suggestion may reduce the duplication of duties. The article also suggests the examination of current practices while implementing changes in predictable times.
Critique
The research gives an account of the importance of cohesion among telestroke specialists of the National Telestroke program with little information on the practices' outcomes. While telemedicine is considered an efficient method for modern treatment, the articles focus on specialist experiences may not be helpful since the practice matter results in this research study. It would be difficult to determine whether team cohesion would also increase the treatment options for stroke.
The practice of increasing cohesion among virtual health specialists may be difficult in other health disciplines, especially in critical conditions. Onboarding forms could also be affected by network connectivity, data, or power. If these elements do not function properly, then there is a likelihood of compromise, reducing telemedicine specialists' trust. Thus, these problems indicate that increased cohesion may not deliver desired outcomes when technical issues are encountered.
The research does not focus on other natural experiments that form teams in the whole treatment process. These experiments include changes to personnel, technology, funding, or administration. It can be considered biased and may not be relied upon for future practices. The authors failed to give limitations of the research to increase its verifiability.
Conclusion
Overall, although team cohesion plays a vital role among virtual health teams. The development of team cohesion programs must be devised by examining the experimental elements that contribute to it. Additionally, team cohesion should be enhanced based on the health outcomes expected. Therefore future research on cohesion should focus on creating an association between team cohesion and program outcome.
Reference
Patel, H., Damush, T. M., Miech, E. J., Rattray, N. A., Martin, H. A., Savoy, A., ... & Williams, L. S (2021). Building cohesion in distributed telemedicine teams: findings from the Department of Veterans Affairs National Telestroke Program. BMC Health Services Research, 21 (1), 1-11.
