GROUPTHINK THEORY AND RESEARCH - IMPLICATIONS FOR DECISION-MAKING IN GERIATRIC HEALTH-CARE TEAMS

The team approach to geriatric care does not automatically result in a ppropriate decision making with regard to elderly patients with multip le chronic problems and complicated, overlapping needs. In. this artic le, Janis's (1972, 1982) group-think theory and tests of facets of the theory are examined. A modified theory is then applied to geriatric h ealth care teams using a case scenario. Suggestions for minimizing the conditions that lead to group think and the resultant poor decisions are made. Health care teams need to develop strategies to enhance grou p cohesiveness and open, democratic leadership and to minimize time co nstraints and group insulation; rules and procedures for discussing op tions and making decisions through consensus should be developed and u nderstood by all team members.