CASE-STUDIES FROM PURGATORY - MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR WITHIN GERIATRICS HEALTH-CARE TEAMS

The practice of geriatrics frequently involves the services of an inte rdisciplinary team. Behavior of team members exists on a functional co ntinuum, from adaptive to maladaptive. Health professionals readily id entify maladaptive behaviors in patients, but may ignore or avoid such behavior in colleagues. Ignoring these behaviors precludes influencin g the affected team member to seek help, and can cause members to leav e the team. Team members with maladaptive behavior, and persons collud ing with this behavior, can negatively influence care. Using case vign ettes, this article categorizes common maladaptive behavior patterns w ithin teams and suggests intervention strategies from an individual, l earn, and organizational perspective.