The interactions that take place—or don’t take place—within a general practice shape its culture, efficiency, and overall success. While the day’s tasks may seem all-consuming, small efforts to enhance workplace dialogue can have profound effects on staff well-being, teamwork, and patient care.
A typical clinician begins their workday by greeting the reception staff before heading to their clinic room to prepare for the day ahead. They attend a morning meeting, where they engage with the wider workforce, and then focus on their primary duties of interacting with patients throughout the day.
Around midday, they might participate in a break meeting over coffee or lunch, after which they return to the office to wrap up their day. During this time, they may have brief exchanges with a few staff members, sharing a smile, a friendly greeting, quick patient debriefs, answering or asking a clinical question, or addressing an administrative enquiry.
Outside of these interactions, are there other conversations taking place in the workplace? This raises another question: Is there any correlation between the nature and frequency of workplace interactions and the operational success of a primary care practice? Thats the focus of today’s reflection.
Consequences of infrequent or ineffective interactions in the workplace
The daily workflow in a general practice is designed for efficiency. While this ensures smooth operations, the absence of deeper workplace conversations may limit opportunities for collaboration, emotional support, and innovation.
There are other consequences to consider.
The primary care workforce experiences high levels of stress. Without regular, meaningful interactions, individuals may feel isolated, increasing the risk of burnout.
Also, informal conversations often serve as a key mechanism for knowledge transfer. When interactions are sparse, learning opportunities and collaborative problem-solving diminish.
Furthermore, a lack of social bonds in the workplace makes it harder to build trust, which is essential for effective teamwork and patient-centered care.
Create Opportunities for Structured and Informal Dialogue
Morning Huddles
As previously highlighted, the morning hurdles are a key team-building activity. Beyond discussing operational priorities, huddles can incorporate a quick check-in—”What’s one challenge you’re facing today?”—to promote shared understanding. Any new member or locum staff should be invited to attend these meetings.
Read more about how Saltash Health Centre has transformed their morning huddles with 12 Really Engaging Wellbeing Activities for the Workplace.
Lunch and Learn sessions
Another idea is to create “Lunch and Learn Sessions. This will enhance professional knowledge of primary care operations while strengthening interpersonal bonds. These sessions can feature 10-minute departmental presentations showcasing team-building activities for all to learn from. These could take place once a week, on a rotating schedule for each day of the week or team.
Informal check-ins
Informal dialogue is also helpful. Team leaders and lead clinicians should model open communication by regularly checking in with team members, not just about work but also about their well-being and vice versa.
Leverage Technology to Enhance Collaboration
Staff should be encouraged to use the internal messaging system to facilitate quick formal, and informal conversations. This ensures that staff can exchange ideas without interrupting workflow. Read more here.
Better Workplace Conversations are good for business
Research indicates that collaborative workplaces create room for ideas and solutions to flow often and freely, leading to enhancements in both patient care and practice management. Additionally, a positive and engaged work environment can decrease turnover rates, which helps reduce the costs associated with recruitment and training. Improved internal communication can also minimise errors, enhance care coordination, and ultimately boost both staff morale and patient satisfaction.
Do you want to build a thriving high-performance practice? What steps will you take today to foster better conversations in your workplace?
Best wishes!
References
BMJ Quality & Safety (2023). The Impact of Teamwork on Patient Safety and Outcomes. Available at: https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/
Journal of Interprofessional Care (2022). Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Healthcare Innovation. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ijic20/current
Harvard Business Review (2021). The Role of Psychological Safety in Healthcare Teams. Available at: https://hbr.org/
