| Abstract [eng] |
Backround. Effective teamwork and good communication skills are important factors in the operating room, associated with a smooth surgical process and a positive working atmosphere. Operating room (OR) teams are usually formed based on employees professional competencies; however, little attention is paid to team roles. When team roles are not taken into consideration, incompatible roles may emerge within teams, which can complicate collaboration and increase the risk of conflicts. The Belbin team role model is one of the most widely used team formation models, helping to create balanced and effective teams. Aim of the study: to evaluate the possibilities of applying Belbin’s team role model in the formation of operating room teams. Objectives of the study: 1)To determine the advantages of applying the Belbin Team Roles model in forming operating room teams; 2)To identify the limitations of implementing the Belbin Team Roles model in forming operating room teams; 3) To reveal the significance of functional and team roles in the process of operating room team formation. Research methodology and material. A qualitative study design was chosen. Research data were collected using semi-structured interviews developed based on scientific literature. The study was conducted in accordance with ethical principles after obtaining verbal consent from the respondents. The collected data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The interviews were conducted between January and February 2026 and involved 11 senior operating room and anesthesia and intensive care nurses – nursing administrators. Results. The study revealed that the formation of operating room teams is primarily based on employees’ competencies, professional experience, workload distribution, and interpersonal compatibility. Although theoretical models are not formally applied, in practice, principles aligned with the logic of the Belbin model are used intuitively. Respondents consider this model potentially useful for improving team effectiveness; however, its implementation would be limited by a lack of human resources and time. Functional roles still dominate in the formation of OR teams, although the importance of team roles is also recognized. Conclusions. The Belbin model could become a potentially useful additional tool in the formation of OR teams. It could help better understand employees, assign them more effectively, improve teamwork and reduce the occurrence of conflicts. However, the application of this model in the OR may be complicated by a lack of time, staff shortages and rotating work schedules. Currently, greater attention is given to employees functional roles, although team roles are also important considered. Keywords: team roles, Belbin theory, team formation, surgery teams, OR team, technical skills, nontechnical skills, patient safety. |
