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Staff Teamwork in Long-Term Care Facilities: The Influence of Management Style, Training, and Feedback

Research in Gerontological Nursing 

By Denise A. Tyler, PhD; Victoria A. Parker, DBA

Received: July 10, 2009; Accepted: March 19, 2010; Posted: July 30, 2010

The purpose of this study was to describe the organizational factors associated with high and low amounts of teamwork among direct-care workers in long-term care (LTC) facilities. A systematic analysis of observation data collected at 20 LTC facilities was first used to categorize facilities as high-, moderate-, or low-teamwork facilities. Next, qualitative analysis of 59 interviews collected in 4 high-teamwork and 5 low-teamwork facilities was used to identify the organizational factors associated with high and low teamwork. Findings showed that high- and low-teamwork LTC facilities in this study differed in three organizational areas: management style, training, and feedback and recognition. As such, improved teamwork in LTC facilities may result from changes to basic management practices, such as training and employee feedback.

doi:10.3928/19404921-20100706-01