Hoitotiimity

Hoitotiimity is a concept used in Finnish health care to describe the quality and effectiveness of teamwork within care teams, including nurses, physicians, and other professionals who collaborate to deliver patient care. It encompasses how well team members coordinate, communicate, and share responsibility for patient outcomes.

In Finland, hoitotiimity is discussed in the context of hospital wards, primary care clinics and home care, with emphasis on integrated and patient-centered care. It is assessed through surveys and observational methods and is linked to safety, efficiency and patient satisfaction.

Key components of hoitotiimity include:

- Shared goals and a common mental model

- Clear roles and informed decision making

- Open, timely, and structured communication

- Leadership and governance that support collaboration

- Coordination across transitions of care

- Mutual respect and psychological safety

- Involvement of patients and families where appropriate

- Standardized processes and documentation

Benefits and challenges

Positive effects typically cited include improved patient safety, more efficient care, shorter hospital stays, lower readmission rates, and higher staff satisfaction. Evidence varies, and successful implementation often requires management support, targeted training in teamwork and communication, and compatible information systems. Challenges can include entrenched hierarchies, heavy workloads, staff turnover, and inconsistent IT platforms or documentation practices. Facilitators include dedicated time for team meetings, leadership endorsement, interprofessional training, and feedback mechanisms.

See also: interprofessional collaboration, TeamSTEPPS, care coordination, patient-centered care.