ERAS AfricaLearning
Course catalogue · Team based care

Teamwork, Communication and Interprofessional Collaboration

Talent wins cases. Teams keep patients safe.

Online, self paced2.4 hours5 modules · 20 lessons3.5 CEUNarratedCertificate
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What you will learn

  • Explain why teamwork and communication determine patient safety.
  • Distinguish multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and interprofessional working.
  • Describe the contribution of each profession across the perioperative pathway.
  • Explain the roles of the coordinator and of institutional leaders.
  • Use SBAR to escalate a concern.
  • Use call out and check back to close the communication loop.
  • Explain psychological safety and how leaders create it.
  • Use graded assertiveness, CUS and the two challenge rule to raise a concern across hierarchy.
  • Run a team meeting that ends in decisions.
  • Identify barriers to collaboration in an Ethiopian hospital and choose countermeasures.

Syllabus

5 modules, each with a knowledge check
🤝1. Why care is a team sportMost harm in hospitals comes from how people work together, not what they know.4 lessons · 27 min
  1. 1.1 What goes wrong, and why7 min
  2. 1.2 Multi, inter, trans6 min
  3. 1.3 The four competencies7 min
  4. 1.4 The Ethiopian perioperative team7 min

Objectives. Explain why teamwork and communication determine patient safety. Distinguish multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and interprofessional working. Name the four interprofessional core competencies. Describe the Ethiopian perioperative team and the CRC initiative.

🧩2. Roles and responsibilitiesYou cannot rely on a colleague whose job you do not understand.4 lessons · 28 min
  1. 2.1 Each profession, each phase8 min
  2. 2.2 Coordinators and leaders7 min
  3. 2.3 Ambiguity and overlap7 min
  4. 2.4 Negotiating roles6 min

Objectives. Describe the contribution of each profession across the perioperative pathway. Explain the roles of the coordinator and of institutional leaders. Recognise how role ambiguity and role overlap produce conflict and gaps. Negotiate shared tasks explicitly.

📣3. Structured communicationSay it the same way every time, and check it was heard.4 lessons · 29 min
  1. 3.1 SBAR8 min
  2. 3.2 Closing the loop7 min
  3. 3.3 Handovers and briefings8 min
  4. 3.4 Channels and confidentiality6 min

Objectives. Use SBAR to escalate a concern. Use call out and check back to close the communication loop. Conduct a structured handover and a checklist briefing. Choose formal and informal channels appropriately, including phone messaging, with confidentiality.

🗣️4. Speaking up and resolving conflictA safe team is one where the most junior person can stop the most senior.4 lessons · 30 min
  1. 4.1 Psychological safety7 min
  2. 4.2 Speaking up across hierarchy9 min
  3. 4.3 Resolving disagreement8 min
  4. 4.4 Respect between colleagues6 min

Objectives. Explain psychological safety and how leaders create it. Use graded assertiveness, CUS and the two challenge rule to raise a concern across hierarchy. Resolve a disagreement using interests rather than positions. Recognise the effect of disrespect and apply CRC principles between colleagues.

🌱5. Building and sustaining collaborative teamsTeams are built in meetings that happen and kept by habits that survive staff turnover.4 lessons · 29 min
  1. 5.1 Meetings that work7 min
  2. 5.2 Barriers and countermeasures8 min
  3. 5.3 Measuring teamwork6 min
  4. 5.4 Your team charter8 min

Objectives. Run a team meeting that ends in decisions. Identify barriers to collaboration in an Ethiopian hospital and choose countermeasures. Measure teamwork and use the results. Write a team charter for your own unit.

Pre-test 15 items before Module 1, not graded  ·  Post-test 30 items, pass mark 80%  ·  Capstone a written plan you export and keep

How it is taught

Narrated micro lessons

Every screen has recorded narration that adds context and examples from Ethiopian hospitals. Lessons are five to ten minutes and resume where you stopped, on any device.

Decisions, not slides

Branching scenarios, matching, ordering and short written tasks with immediate feedback and the reasoning, whichever way you answer.

Blended option

Five ninety minute workshops with role play of SBAR, speaking up and debriefing.

Tools for Monday

Printable ward cards, checklists and audit forms are linked from the modules and free to adapt.

Frequently asked

How long do I have?

There is no deadline. Most learners finish in one to three weeks of short sessions. Your progress is saved to your account.

Is there a cost?

No. Enrolment, the course, the certificate and the resources are free.

What if I fail the post-test?

You can retake it. The feedback after each item tells you which module to revisit.

Is the certificate recognised for licence renewal?

The certificate states the CEU value calculated at one CEU per hour of learning in line with the national CPD Guideline, with a verification number. Recognition for licence renewal depends on accreditation by the CPD accreditor, which ERAS Africa and the EAA are pursuing.

Can my hospital run it as a workshop?

Yes. Each module has a facilitated 90 minute session plan. Contact ERAS Africa through the website to arrange a cohort.