As the healthcare industry continues to adopt technology and remote work [1], leaders must be able to connect both virtual and in-person staff members to ensure a harmonious work environment. With a significant geographical distance between the two, medical practice leaders might need help encouraging collaboration between both parties.

To strengthen the collaboration between virtual and in-person teams, practice leaders need to recognize and address specific challenges. For virtual staff members, communication and coordination can be difficult because there is a lack of face-to-face interaction. On the other hand, in-person teams may struggle with productivity as only a few are used to working in the virtual workspace.

By recognizing these challenges and implementing specific strategies, practice leaders can take the first step towards fostering collaboration between both team models.

Establishing a Clear Communication Strategy

Effective collaboration depends on how clear and efficient the communication is, especially in a hybrid team setup. For this reason, medical practice leaders should establish a well-defined communication strategy that caters to the needs of both virtual and in-person team members. These strategies may include identifying preferred communication channels, setting response time expectations, and outlining guidelines for information sharing and updates.

Apart from formal communication channels, leaders can encourage informal communication through a dedicated chat platform or instant messaging system, benefiting virtual team members who need to connect quickly with their co-workers.

Creating an environment where open and transparent communication thrives is key to building trust and collaboration among team members. By prioritizing this type of communication, leaders can facilitate successful alliances between hybrid teams and boost overall productivity.

Utilizing Technology for Connectivity

Collaboration platforms can bring professionals from different corners of the world closer together. For medical practice leaders who oversee virtual and in-person teams, it’s essential to find technological tools that promote seamless connectivity, information sharing, and real-time communication.

Practice leaders must provide the necessary software and resources to all team members, such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management tools. Doing so will allow everyone to participate in team activities actively. However, leaders must also ensure that every team member is comfortable and proficient using these tools.

By investing in the right technology, leaders can level the playing field for all team members and foster effortless and uninterrupted communication. This can help virtual and in-person team members be productive regardless of their work setup.

Encouraging Regular Team-Building Activities

Developing a cohesive and collaborative virtual team demands deliberate action. Medical practice leaders can create a sense of teamwork by promoting virtual team-building activities. From virtual icebreakers to collaborative projects and online group discussions, numerous strategies can strengthen the relationship between virtual and in-person team members.

Practice leaders can consider hosting virtual happy hours or trivia games to strengthen the camaraderie between remote and in-person teams. These activities allow them to work together without necessarily partaking in work-related tasks.

By facilitating opportunities for team members to interact, practice leaders can encourage mutual support and shared purpose in a fun and effective way. As a result, staff members understand one another better, leading to a more engaged and productive team.

Fostering Trust & Accountability

Establishing trust is also essential in facilitating successful collaboration between team members. As such, practice leaders must work towards kickstarting a culture of trust and accountability among virtual and in-person staff. Some effective ways of achieving this are by setting clear expectations, defining specific roles and responsibilities, and promoting open and transparent communication channels.

In addition, practice leaders must emphasize the importance of meeting deadlines and producing excellent work. Regular feedback sessions and evaluations are also critical to ensure accountability for individual actions and contributions.

By prioritizing trust, practice leaders can strengthen their teams, improve performance, and deliver quality patient care. This trust can also come in the form of celebrating the collective wins of the team, as it can let them know that their contributions matter and play a massive role in pushing the entire practice forward.

Promoting Cross-Functional Collaboration

Cross-functional collaboration brings together individual team members from different departments to work collaboratively on the same project or initiative [2]. The aim is to break down team barriers and encourage knowledge sharing among different departments. This strategy leverages the collective expertise of different teams and promotes innovation by combining different viewpoints and experiences.

Practice leaders can utilize this approach to strengthen the collaboration between virtual and in-person teams, allowing both parties to work toward a common goal. Cross-functional collaboration can also help bridge the gap between them, creating a sense of unity within the organization.

When virtual and in-person teams work together, practice leaders can tap into a wider range of knowledge and skills. Additionally, adopting cross-functional collaboration builds a culture of mutual respect, ultimately leading to a positive and productive work environment.

Providing Training & Development Opportunities

Collaborating in a hybrid work environment can pose challenges for team members. However, equipping virtual and in-person teams with top-notch training and development opportunities ensures they know how to navigate the virtual workspace efficiently. Moreover, training and development opportunities also build a shared understanding and a common language that promotes a cohesive and collaborative work culture.

These pieces of training can focus on virtual communication techniques, remote project management, and effective collaboration strategies. When both remote and in-office teams know how to work together in the virtual workspace seamlessly, they will be able to collaborate more and understand the importance of why they need to perform as a single unit.

In addition, practice leaders can encourage knowledge and expertise sharing among team members through internal workshops or coaching sessions. This not only strengthens the team’s collective knowledge but also promotes a culture of collaborative learning.

Leading By Example

Leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration among virtual and in-person teams. For this reason, practice leaders must set an example by embodying the behaviors and attitudes they want their team members to adhere to. Key actions include:

• Actively participating in virtual meetings.
• Practicing transparent communication.
• Fostering mutual respect among team members.

It is also important for practice leaders to treat virtual and in-person teams equally, allowing every member to have equal opportunities for advancement and acknowledgment. This includes actively seeking input and feedback from both teams and ensuring they are included in decision-making processes.

When practice leaders embody the principles of collaboration, they strengthen teamwork and mutual support between team members. Additionally, being a collaborative leader can create an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated.

With the growing trend of healthcare practices incorporating remote staffing solutions like virtual medical assistants, leaders must adjust their leadership approach to facilitate seamless collaboration between virtual and in-person teams. By utilizing effective strategies, leaders can bridge the gap and promote effective teamwork despite the contrasting work setup of their team members.

For practice leaders seeking to expand their staff through virtual medical assistants, My Mountain Mover is the solution. Our rigorous screening process ensures that clients only get the top 2% of virtual assistants across the industry. This guarantees that practices gain virtual talent who can collaborate effectively with in-person teams and excel in the virtual workspace.

Book a 10-minute discovery call today to learn more.

References

[1] “Embracing Remote Work in Healthcare Organizations” forbes.com

[2] “What is Cross-Functional Collaboration? – Benefits & Tips” mural.co