Resource Center

Author Suzanne Gordon partnered with VA's San Francisco based Center of Excellence in Primary Care Education and actor/director Peter Coyote for a close look at the San Francisco VA and the work they have accomplished in creating this academically focused, team-based, patient centered, interprofessional huddle model.  With a focus on improved team communication and care continuity, the model helps to improve the transition between academic education and clinical practice and provides enhanced opportunities for trainees, faculty and other team staff to serve in important teaching and learning roles.

In the video, Coyote highlights highly functioning health teams and their potential to save lives and reduce medical mistakes. He also addresses the critical need to improve and increase teaching activities to “produce and sustain highly functioning healthcare teams”.  

The San Francisco VA Medical Center leadership and healthcare team members discuss the importance of huddles, the need to address team rapport, communication and education and the roles of all team-members (faculty/staff, trainees, patients/family) in providing quality care for Veterans.