title: Preparing for practice: how well are practitioners prepared for teamwork.
abstract: This article reports on the findings of a study that aimed to explore how relevant initial training is in relation to teamwork, and to explore the perceptions of newly qualified practitioners about their confidence to work as a member of a team. A cross-sectional postal survey was used to ascertain the views of nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who had been qualified between six months and two years prior to the survey, and had qualified at one of three London universities. Fifty questionnaires were sent out to each professional group (a sample of 200 overall) and there was a 43% response rate. Findings revealed that respondents reported positive experiences of team working, with only one area--equality of status within teams--being highlighted as problematic. While no other area generated this level of disagreement, there were two other areas in which respondents felt unsure: cooperation within the team and conflict resolution within the team.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nursing and Midwifery.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atwal
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Copp
authors.forename: Madeline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brett-Richards
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Colemar
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008131:London; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education; D024382:Professional Role; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities