Effects of team-building on communication and teamwork among nursing students

AimThe aim of this study was to assess the effects of team-building on communication and teamwork (i.e. teamwork skills and team effectiveness) among nursing students. BackgroundTeam-building is effective for improving communication and teamwork among the nursing organization. However, the effects of team-building are not well known especially in Korea. MethodsThis study used a quasi-experimental design. The sample was composed of 195 junior-year nursing students in Korea. The experimental group (100 subjects) participated in team-building activities over a 100-day period, whereas no intervention was applied to the control group (95 subjects). Pretest was conducted in both groups, and post-test was conducted after the 100-day intervention. FindingsThe pre-post change in mean communication competence score did not differ between the two groups. However, the mean scores for teamwork skills and team effectiveness differed significantly between the two groups after team-building activity. LimitationsThis study was not a double-blind test, and randomized sampling was not implemented. Caution should thus be used when interpreting the findings. ConclusionTeam-building activities were effective for improving the teamwork skills and team effectiveness among Korean nursing students. Implications for nursing educationIt is recommended that team-building activities should be included regularly as an integral educational approach in nursing education. The findings suggest that suggests that team-building for improving communication and teamwork should be designated as one of the required criteria for nursing college programme accreditation in many countries, including Korea. However team-building requires further testing to verify this across cultures. Implications for nursing policyNurses need to receive formal team-building training for improving communication and teamwork, and formal education should be included in their job training schedule. It is recommended that communication competence and teamwork be used as one of job performance evaluations in their workplace.