Case Study: Team or “Pseudoteam”
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often encounter challenges in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Get FIT is a community-based program that was developed to promote access to physical activity, as well as education about healthy lifestyle choices, for individuals with IDD living in the community. You have the opportunity to volunteer at the Get FIT program at your local university and observe the following.
Clients with IDD arrive at the campus community center with their group home care providers. The clients gather around a table and socialize with one another and the individuals providing the program. The group home care providers sit in chairs toward the back of the room. The session begins with nursing students discussing the importance of healthy food choices. The discussion centers on sugary beverages, diet beverages, and water. Several clients actively interact with the nursing students and each other for half an hour. At that point, the physical activity portion of the session begins. Students from occupational therapy and physical therapy disciplines lead a gentle stretching and strengthening program for the group. Each client is assisted by a student volunteer who records the specific activities the client completes. This is followed by a group activity that is set to music to encourage everyone to “get moving.” Students interact with their assigned clients throughout the session. Everyone seems to enjoy the physical activity and the social interactions. At the end of the session, student volunteers guide clients to their respective care providers to return to their home.
Discussion Questions
- Based on your understanding of the case study presentation, were the individuals providing the Get FIT program functioning as a true team or pseudoteam? Provide specific examples as a rationale for your perspective.
- Identify at least two potential benefits of interprofessional collaboration for the clients participating in this program.
- Suggest additional team members who can engage in this client- and population-centered program. How would you rework the scenario to illustrate engaging other professionals in shared patient- and population-focused problem solving?
- Offer at least three suggestions for team development and effective teamwork practices in this setting. Refer to Chapters 13 and 14.
