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The team approach to geriatric care does not automatically result in appropriate decision making with regard to elderly patients with multiple chronic problems and complicated, overlapping needs. In this article, Janis's (1972, 1982) group‐think theory and tests of facets of the theory are examined. A modified theory is then applied to geriatric health care teams using a case scenario. Suggestions for minimizing the conditions that lead to groupthink and the resultant poor decisions are made. Health care teams need to develop strategies to enhance group cohesiveness and open, democratic leadership and to minimize time constraints and group insulation; rules and procedures for discussing options and making decisions through consensus should be developed and understood by all team members.

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