Integrating Teamwork and Communication Training in Clinical Rotations

Supporting the “Leading Others” Section of the Leadership Toolkit 

Clinical rotations are one of the most exciting—and sometimes nerve-wracking—parts of a PA student’s journey. They’re where theory meets practice, and where leadership begins to take shape. The “Leading Others” section of PAEA’s Leadership Toolkit provides faculty with strategies that can support intentionally integrating teamwork and communication skills-building into rotation curricula. 

Fostering Teamwork and Communication: The Heart of Clinical Practice 

No one practices medicine alone. Whether in a surgical team, a primary care clinic, or a rural ER, collaboration is key. Clinical rotations offer faculty and preceptors with unique opportunities to shape students’ understanding of team dynamics and to cultivate the communication skills that will serve them throughout their careers. These rotations immerse students in fast-paced, dynamic environments where strong communication and effective teamwork can make a significant difference – not only for learning outcomes but also for patient care.  

Key Implementation Strategies: Here are examples of how faculty can integrate teamwork and communication into clinical rotations: 

• Structured Observation Periods: Use moments like huddles and debriefs to set expectations, clarify roles, and review goals for the day. Encourage students to actively listen, ask questions, and communicate clearly. 
• Interprofessional Rounds: Invite students to observe how nurses, physicians, therapists, and pharmacists each contribute to patient care. Encourage them to speak up when appropriate while respecting every role on the team. 
• Peer Collaboration: Provide opportunities for students to collaborate with peers from other disciplines (PA, medical, nursing) to discuss cases or divide tasks. Emphasize the importance of a team mindset—supportive, communicative, and collaborative. 

How Faculty Can Support This 

Faculty and preceptors play a critical role in shaping how students learn to “lead others” through communication and teamwork. Effective strategies include: 

• Modeling Behaviors: Demonstrate respectful, clear communication during stressful or complex patient interactions. 
• Facilitating Reflection: After team-based experiences, guide students to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how they might approach similar scenarios in the future. 
• Giving Real-Time Feedback: When students communicate well—or miss the mark—give immediate, constructive feedback that focuses on growth. 

Encouraging Leadership in Students 

Leadership during clinical rotations doesn’t mean taking over. It means knowing when to contribute, when to listen, and how to add value to the team. Faculty can reinforce this by encouraging students to: 

• Volunteers to help when the unit is busy. 
• Communicate clearly about what they know—and what they need help understanding. 
• Check in with nurses, techs, and other staff as part of the patient care team. 

These small actions foster initiative, humility, and leadership.

Carrying These Skills Into Practice 

As a future PA, students will rely on teamwork and communication daily—collaborating with physicians, nurses, specialists, and patients themselves. Strong communicators build trust, reduce errors, and improve outcomes. Great teammates uplift their colleagues and create environments where everyone thrives. 

By embedding these skills during clinical rotations, faculty set the tone for students’ entire careers. The Leadership Toolkit supports this by offering structured approaches to teaching leadership through collaboration, empathy, and clear communication. 

Quick Tips for Faculty

To help students practice teamwork and communication during rotations, encourage them to: 

• Listen more than they speak—especially in new. 
• Clarify expectations early when working with new team members. 
• Take responsibility for making mistakes. It’s a huge mark of maturity and leadership. 
• Show appreciation to team members regularly—it goes a long way. 

Your clinical rotations are more than a requirement—they’re a leadership lab. By leveraging the “Leading Others” section of the Leadership Toolkit, faculty can transform these experiences into dynamic opportunities for leadership development, enhancing both student competency and program outcomes.