An Application of the Temporal-based Framework of Teamwork Processes to Diabetes Quality of Care

Conceptual frameworks in healthcare do not address the temporal-based mechanisms whereby teamwork processes impact changes in quality of care. We draw on a temporal-based framework of teamwork processes in a qualitative analysis of 92 primary care staff interviews across 18 primary care clinics to develop knowledge regarding how teamwork processes may impact changes in diabetes quality of care over time. We compare primary care clinics with either consistently high or improved performance to those clinics with consistently low or worsening performance. We detail how teamwork processes may promote quality improvements. We also identify psychological and organizational factors that may increase or decrease the effectiveness of teamwork processes. This study is a first step toward a comprehensive temporal model of how teamwork impacts quality of care.