The mental health treatment team: are men or women better team players?

Abstract

PurposeCollaboration among professionals is essential for effective patient care, but gender stereotyping and discrimination practices in the health care environment may hinder effective teamwork. This study aims to investigate professional attitudes toward teamwork in a psychiatric setting with a particular emphasis on gender. The paper examines gender differences in attitudes among all professionals on a team and identifies gender differences among professionals within the same speciality, with particular attention to doctors and nurses.Design/methodology/approachData were collected in the mental health hospital of Attiki, Greece. In total, 151 doctors, nurses and allied health professionals completed a self‐reported questionnaire.FindingsThe paper finds that females appear to be more receptive to teamwork: all doctors have similarities in their attitudes toward teamwork, but females reported stronger agreement on the values and culture of the team. Several differences appeared in male and female nurses' attitudes toward teamwork. The stereotype of nursing as a female occupation was found to affect male nurses' job satisfaction and decision‐making process, creating a barrier to effective collaboration.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample had few subgroups and self‐reporting questionnaires may not reflect participants' attitudes in real situations.Originality/valueThe study describes important aspects of gender stereotyping in the health care environment and adds to the literature on professional teamwork and communication.