Case studies from purgatory: maladaptive behavior within geriatrics health care teams.
The practice of geriatrics frequently involves the services of an interdisciplinary team. Behavior of team members exists on a functional continuum, from adaptive to maladaptive. Health professionals readily identify maladaptive behaviors in patients, but may ignore or avoid such behavior in colleagues. Ignoring these behaviors precludes influencing the affected team member to seek help, and can cause members to leave the team. Team members with maladaptive behavior, and persons colluding with this behavior, can negatively influence care. Using case vignettes, this article categorizes common maladaptive behavior patterns within teams and suggests intervention strategies from an individual, team, and organizational perspective.
Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Medical Center, Madison, WI 53705.
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Drinka
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Streim
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005853:Geriatrics; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior