Effective teamwork in rehabilitation

Health gains appear to be greater in patients treated by rehabilitation teams than in those receiving conventional medical care. Effective teams are composed of professionals with well-defined roles and skills that match the needs of their patients. Medical leadership and a flexible leadership style modelled on the situational theory of leadership is preferred. A goal-oriented and interdisciplinary team process that is based on collective problem identification and solution, and which encourages formal and informal communication between team members is an important prerequisite for effective team functioning.