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Interdisciplinary teamwork: is the influence of emotional intelligence fully appreciated?

McCallin A, Bamford A

Division of Health Care Practice, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Aukland University of Technology, Aukland, New Zealand. mccallin@ihug.co.nz

AIM: The purpose of this study is to discuss how emotional intelligence affects interdisciplinary team effectiveness. Some findings from a larger study on interdisciplinary teamworking are discussed. BACKGROUND: Teams are often evaluated for complementary skill mix and expertise that are integrated for specialist service delivery. Interactional skills and emotional intelligence also affect team behaviour and performance. An effective team needs both emotional intelligence and expertise, including technical, clinical, social and interactional skills, so that teamwork becomes greater or lesser than the whole, depending on how well individuals work together. KEY ISSUES: Team diversity, individuality and personality differences, and interprofessional safety are analysed to raise awareness for nurse managers of the complexity of interdisciplinary working relationships. CONCLUSION: If nursing input into interdisciplinary work is to be maximized, nurse managers might consider the role of emotional intelligence in influencing team effectiveness, the quality of client care, staff retention and job satisfaction.

Published 25 April 2007 in J Nurs Manag, 15(4): 386-91.
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