How do you handle power dynamics between physicians and other team members in decision-making processes?

To handle power dynamics between physicians and other team members, it's essential to foster a collaborative environment where everyone's expertise is valued. Encouraging open communication, actively listening to all perspectives, and emphasizing patient-centered care can help balance decision-making power. This approach ensures that decisions are made based on collective knowledge and the best outcomes for patients, rather than hierarchy.

To handle power dynamics in decision-making, I first ensure everyone's input is valued and heard. I use clear, respectful communication to address any imbalances, making sure each team member, including physicians, feels included in the process. I focus on data and objective criteria to guide decisions, which helps balance opinions and minimizes bias. Facilitating open discussions and encouraging collaborative problem-solving ensures that all voices contribute to the final decision.

Recognizing roles and addressing power dynamics between physicians and other team members is crucial for effective decision-making. Here are some strategies: ->Acknowledge Hierarchies: Understand that healthcare systems often have deeply embedded hierarchies. Recognize that senior physicians may hold more influence, but value the input of all team members. ->Team Characteristics Matter: Consider team structure (e.g., staff rotations) and local processes (e.g., meeting structure) that impact collaborative practice. Encourage open communication and active participation from all team members.

I’d add in 1. setting and agreeing on ground rules of communication and mutual respect for the forum. This sets the scene for meaningful conversations and healthy debate. 2. Consider using a clinical liaison person who understands the business but also has experience and expertise in the relevant health field - a role I have been actively successful in bringing groups to work together.

Physicians’ voices have been increasingly suppressed, especially during pandemic. The lack of physician leadership has taken the healthcare into monkey first and patient second approaches. Thus, US healthcare is in wrong direction. Strong physician leadership is needed more than ever!

Physician leadership is playing crucial role in current healthcare environment. It’s ok to let others talk but vision and direction shall be in physician leaders not business people! Business people have led the healthcare system into money priorities not patient care. Everyone is trying to cut a piece of the pie but patients are suffering.

Training is needed so that they know what are their rules. Politics should never have any place in healthcare because patients’ lives will be in jeopardy.

Promote True Collaboration: Prioritize ongoing interprofessional education to support collaborative care. Create an environment where everyone’s expertise is valued and respected. Remember, effective teamwork requires acknowledging differences while fostering a collaborative spirit

Create an environment where everyone’s expertise is valued and respected. Remember, effective teamwork requires acknowledging differences while fostering a collaborative spirit

This is not uncommon in cross-functionally teams involving physicians and non physicians For example - Physicians (MSLs,MAs,RMAs) working with sales/commercial team, with the latter in higher leadership role(s) in a biopharma company. - Physicians being managed by non physician(s) in a health tech organization - Pharmacists in a team with physicians during a community health event/outreach. The power dynamics if not well managed can be problematic. However, when all can be adaptable and realize quickly that they share the same goal, which is to improve the outcome and quality of for the patients, very synergistic collaboration occurs from this point.