LAUSR

Abstract Objectives Teamwork in healthcare provides better outcomes for patients and contributes to job satisfaction and autonomy. Graduate capabilities of teaching institutions require educators to assess teamwork skills. The TeamUP Short-Form (TeamUP-SF) was developed as a self- and peer-assessment tool of teamwork skills following feedback from the previous version. This pilot study evaluated the utility of the TeamUP-SF in developing and assessing teamwork skills in a cohort of senior osteopathy students undertaking group assignments. Methods Forty-nine students received the TeamUP-SF after a minimum of 12 weeks of group work. Students rated their own teamwork skills, and those of other members of their group using the TeamUP-SF. Focus groups were conducted to explore students’ attitudes and impressions about teamwork and its assessment. Analysis of focus group transcripts followed a constructivist paradigm utilising thematic analysis. Results Seventeen students participated in a 1-h focus group about the usability of the TeamUP-SF for assessing and developing teamwork skills. Themes to emerge were perceptions of teamwork, purpose of the TeamUP-SF, usability of the TeamUP-SF, and the emotional impact of evaluating teamwork skills. Conclusion The TeamUP-SF may be valuable in developing and assessing teamwork skills. Students recommended using the TeamUP-SF in two ways: assess and monitor their own teamwork skills; and, optimise team function in their own learning environments by focusing on team efficiency and effectiveness. Students also identified limitations of the TeamUP-SF including its use as a summative assessment. These recommendations may reduce the emotional impact on students assessing individuals within a team.