Abstract
Academic Medical Centers strive to create multidisciplinary research teams to produce impactful science. However, few faculty researchers receive training in "team science," a well-established concept in business research and practice. Responding to demand for assistance developing effective research teams, the Collaboration and Team Science Program of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSM) partnered with faculty from the Wake Forest University (WFU) School of Business with expertise in leadership, management, and team building. We initiated a needs assessment, including a written survey from a diverse set of 42 research scientists as well as semi-structured interviews with 8 researchers. In response to identified needs, we developed training sessions and consultations to teach teams to implement two tools known to enhance team dynamics: (1) Team charter, a document that defines the team's purpose, goals, roles, and strategies; and (2) Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed (RACI) matrix, a table or spreadsheet that clarifies tasks and accountability. Since 2018, 10 teams and over 100 individuals have attended training sessions and 6 teams received personalized team consults. We describe these tools, present a formal analysis of quantitative results, and highlight the next steps being taken in response to these findings.
Highlights
Complex work of various types, including the design and conduct of high-impact scientific research, hinges on the ability to collaboratively solve problems [1]
This paper reports on the development and ongoing work of a team science training program established by this group
The focus of this paper is encouraging and facilitating interdisciplinary team science using recommendations from wellresearched and implemented resources. To meet this particular objective, we developed workshops and tools to teach and facilitate effective team formation and norms within research teams
Summary
Complex work of various types, including the design and conduct of high-impact scientific research, hinges on the ability to collaboratively solve problems [1]. After speaking with CTSI leaders, the experts from the business school recommended several best practices that demonstrate evidence-based success in building high-performing teams across multiple disciplines and applied contexts They recommended a number of topics for training and development in areas critical to team formation, cohesion, and effectiveness. Interviews confirmed, that teams were struggling with the following issues: setting clear expectations; holding each other accountable to both tasks and deadlines; gaining buy-in on goals and objectives from the whole team rather than only senior faculty; and running effective meetings. The focus of this paper is encouraging and facilitating interdisciplinary team science using recommendations from wellresearched and implemented resources (including the NIH Field Guide) To meet this particular objective, we developed workshops and tools to teach and facilitate effective team formation and norms within research teams. We adapted two distinct tools that are having a strong early positive impact on team cognition and resulting effectiveness among our research teams
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