What is
Building Better Teams?

We are a collaborative group of researchers and trainees committed to building stronger teams that support health, well-being, and students learning. Our research broadly explores collaboration, team dynamics, and reflective practices to inform the work of educators and professionals.

Featured Research Project

CONFORMITY

Informed by our program of research, this video encourages viewers to recognize, challenge and commit to speaking up, rather than conform, to conflicting information shared during interdisciplinary team meetings.

Publication References

Altabbaa, G., Beran, T. N., Kaba, A. (2014). Safety in numbers: Are physicians really being "helpful" by going with the flow? Academic Medicine, 89(12), 1580-1581.

Beran, T. N., Kaba, A., Caird, J., & McLaughlin, K. (2014). The good and bad of group conformity: A call for a new program of research in medical education. Medical Education, 48(9), 851-859.

Beran, T. N., & Crofton, J. (2015). Research advances in conformity to peer pressure: A negative side effect of medical education. Medical and Health Sciences Education Journal, 1, 19-23.

Beran, T. N., Drefs, M., Kaba, A., Al Baz, N., & Al Harbi, N. (2015) Conformity of responses among graduate students in an online environment. The Internet and Higher Education, 25, 63-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2015.01.001

Kaba, A., Beran, T. N., & White, D. (2016). Accuracy of interpreting vital signs in simulation. An empirical study of conformity between medical and nursing students. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 3, 9-18.

Kaba, A. & Beran, T. N. (2016). The impact of peer pressure on the accuracy of reporting vital signs: An interprofessional comparison between nursing and medical students. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 30(1), 116-122.

Grendar, J., Beran, T. N., & Oddone-Paolucci, E. (2018). Experiences of pressure to conform in postgraduate medical education. BMC Medical Education, 18(4), 1-8.

Kaba, A. & Beran, T. N. (2019). Navigating complexity of advocacy: The role of peer pressure. Medical Education, 53, 317-318.

Altabbaa, G., Beran, T. N., Drefs, M., & Oddone Paolucci, E. (2021). Twelve tips for using simulation to teach about conformity behaviors in medical education. Medical Teacher, 43(12), 1360-1367.

Beran, T. N., Drefs, M., Altabbaa, G., Al Harbi, N., Al Baz, N., & Oddone Paolucci, E. (2022). Observations of conformity in the health professions. World Academy of Science, Engineering, and Technology, 16(12), 762-767.

Beran, T. N., Altabbaa, G., & Oddone Paolucci, E. (2023). Observational study of conformity in yet another medical learning environment: Conformity to preceptors during high-fidelity simulation. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 14, 1445-1452.