Team Science: A Practical Approach to Starting Collaborative Projects

Abstract

A collaborative approach to treating patients is well taught in medical training. However, collaboration and team building in clinical and laboratory research may have been given less emphasis. More scientific discoveries are now being made with multidisciplinary teams, requiring a thoughtful approach in order to achieve research goals while mitigating potential conflicts. Specific steps for a successful team science project include building the team, assigning roles and responsibilities, allocating rules, and discussing authorship guidelines. Building a team involves bringing individuals together and developing a common research goal while establishing psychological safety for all members of the team. Clear assignment of roles and responsibilities avoids confusion and allows each member’s contributions to be acknowledged. Allocating rules involves discussing how decisions in the team will be made, how data and knowledge sharing will occur, and how potential conflicts will be resolved. Discussing authorship at the start of the project ensures that the entire team knows what work must be completed for authorship to be obtained.

Validation of the Novel Interprofessional Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire to Facilitate Multidisciplinary Team Building in Patient-Centered Care

“…As interprofessional SDM is conducted by members with diverse values, including multiple professionals, patients, and patients’ families, conflicts of interest within the team may possibly arise. Teams must communicate their support goals, choose the right team members, and exchange their opinions and ideas to provide effective support [ 29 ].…”

Team principles for successful interdisciplinary research teams

“…The successful interdisciplinary research team includes individuals from a variety of specialties ( 16 ). Networking is advantageous for establishing and reestablishing connections ( 17 ) to develop a pool from which to build the team, or from whom potential team members can be identified ( 3 ). When forming the interdisciplinary team, several factors must be considered ( 3 ).…”

“…Networking is advantageous for establishing and reestablishing connections ( 17 ) to develop a pool from which to build the team, or from whom potential team members can be identified ( 3 ). When forming the interdisciplinary team, several factors must be considered ( 3 ). Foremost, the establishment of a needs analysis to inform the setting of priorities is crucial for effectively forming an interdisciplinary team in a high-stress, fast-changing healthcare environment ( 17 , 18 ).…”

“…Clinical health experts can provide a variety of insights to the project as well as mentorship ( 18 ). Building a team entails bringing people together and providing psychological safety for all teammates, while having a shared research aim ( 3 ). Determine team dynamics that persuade the group to create trust, enhance communication, and collaborate towards a shared purpose ( 17 ).…”

“…In this paper, we outline principles for a successful research team, with a particular emphasis on their effectiveness in cardio-oncology settings. Interdisciplinary teams are becoming more critical for collaborative scientific discoveries, necessitating careful strategies to meet research aims while overcoming potential conflicts ( 3 ). Team approaches offer a greater pool of viewpoints, capabilities, and efforts.…”