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Multidisciplinary approach to patient care
Interdisciplinary teams in health care
Interdisciplinary teams in health care
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“Multidisciplinary“ is defined by Merriam-Webster as “combining or involving more than one discipline or field of study” and lists “interdisciplinary” as a synonym.1 However, these two terms are not exactly synonymous when the Latin roots are considered. LatDict defines the prefix “multi” as a noun meaning “common herd, the many” while the preposition “inter” is defined as “between, among.”2 This small difference can change the atmosphere of health care as well as the outcomes of patient care. Multidisciplinary care simply means the patient is under the care of multiple health care providers. These may include physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health care members. Some facilities may arrange for the patient to have multiple
The term interdisciplinary refers to situations in which various disciplines are involved in reaching a common goal with each contributing his or her specific expertise. Teamwork is essential to reach any set goals or objectives. Every team member should have specific characteristics and functions in order for the team to function properly. Collaboration is important to ensure quality in completion of the task. In health care an interdisciplinary team is a group of health care professionals from diverse fields who work in a coordinated fashion toward a common goal for the patient/client and the patient’s families. During the coordination of care we may come across barriers making the goals tougher to achieve. As health care professionals we
rofessionals from different disciplines collaborating to provide care to patients. Effectively coordinated and collaborative inter-professional teams are essential to the care and treatment of patients (Rowlands & Callen, 2013; Doyle, 2008; Ruhstaller, Roe, Thürlimann & Nicoll, 2006; Simpson & Patton, 2012, p. 300). Communication is a process of conferring information between individuals through use of speech, writing or various other means, and is critical to the success of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) (Higgs, McAllister & Sefton, 2012, p. 5; Rowlands & Callen, 2013; Sargeant, Loney & Murphy, 2008). An MDT must use multiple strategies to enhance communication and ensure their success (Doyle, 2008). An effective MDT generates opportunities that benefit healthcare, which is the reason for the recent dominance of inter-professional care in health practice (Simpson & Patton, 2012, p. 300; Rowlands & Callen, 2013). Many barriers prevent effective communication within inter-professional teams. Lack of communication within MDTs presents challenges to their success, leading to numerous consequences, including the failure of the MDT (London Deanery, 2012; Sargeant et al, 2008). Communication between professionals is the key factor underpinning the potential success or failure of inter-professional teams, the outcome of the functioning of MDTs will either benefit or impair care of patients.
Having a common goal for the team and understanding each members role in reaching this goal – allows each of the healthcare professionals to focus on the overall outcome for the patient and the most effective means of reaching such outcome through inter-professional healthcare
The demand of a constantly developing health service has required each professional to become highly specialised within their own field. Despite the focus for all professionals being on the delivery high quality care (Darzi, 2008); no one profession is able to deliver a complete, tailored package. This illustrates the importance of using inter-professional collaboration in delivering health care. Patient centric care is further highlighted in policies, emphasising the concept that treating the illness alone whilst ignoring sociological and psychological requirements on an individual is no longer acceptable. Kenny (2002) states that at the core of healthcare is an agreement amongst all the health professionals enabling them to evolve as the patient health requirements become more challenging but there are hurdles for these coalitions to be effective: for example the variation in culture of health divisions and hierarchy of roles. Here Hall (2005) illustrates this point by stating that physicians ignore the mundane problems of patients, and if they feel undervalued they do not fully participate with a multidisciplinary team.
Interprofessional Practice (IPP) is the ability to provide a comprehensive health care service to all patients. Healthcare providers achieve this joining together and working collaboratively to deliver quality care across a range of healthcare settings. An interprofessional setting may offer several benefits to patients, including improved access to healthcare, less conflict and tension amongst caregivers, improved use of clinical resources, better retention of staff, better results for patients in particular those with chronic diseases. (http://www.ontarioshores.ca/about_us/our_approach/interprofessional/). This paper will discuss the benefits of an interprofessional practice to the patient.
Healthcare is a dynamic, ever-changing environment. The complex circumstances around daily conversations that encompass life-threatening decisions are critical. In order to deliver high quality care, individuals must be able to communicate effectively. In the perfect world of communication, everyone receives the exact same information and is able to respond the exact same way. Unfortunately, communication breakdown is a prevalent issue among hospitals. On any given day of the hospital arena, multiple interactions take place. Some of the dialogue is planned, and some is not. While hospital departments are living in different silos within the same organization, the cultures may vary among the employees. Hospital leadership fosters the importance of collaboration within the organization and depends on the employees to ultimately drive the process. In order to overcome communication barriers in the workplace, conversations must occur. Engaging in daily face-to-face meetings with employees increases positive work culture, morale and overall productivity.
...newicht and Dunford (2004), physiotherapists, occupational therapists, Doctors, nurses, specialist pain teams and dieticians all care for the patient at once.
Webster’s dictionary defines polypharmacy as the practice of administering or using multiple medications. Polypharmacy is seen often in older adults, because they often have multiple doctors that may not communicate resulting in the over medication of the patient. Then the doctors begin to treat the adverse effects of medications they did not know the patient was even prescribed for example if a patient is prescribed a medication to lower their blood pressure from a cardiac doctor the patient may return to their family care doctor with a blood pressure that is too low. The family care doctor may prescribe a medication that will raise their blood pressure, now the patient will be taking two medications that have opposing affects. Another effect
The advantage of a multidisciplinary team approach is that all professionals work together by collecting the facts and by bringing information together, to obtain as complete a view as possible of the problems of each individual patient. In doing this they are able to make sure that the proper range of treatments are used in a properly planned way (Onyett 2003).
Sims, Hewitt and Harris (2015) stated that MDT team is complex and highly variable because the intervention is governed by different social factors and organisation sector. The author claimed that there is little evidence on how teams develop an interactive objectives and vision and having a shared determination. Multidisciplinary team differ according to the types of cancer. For instance, NICE guidelines (2011) stated that management of lung cancer should be under the care of multidisciplinary team which includes specialist surgeon, chest physician, medical and clinical oncologists, physiotherapist, nutritionist, pathologist, specialist lung cancer nurses, psychologist, occupational therapist, other healthcare
...unication, influence, or collaboration everyone needs to work together to ensure everything is being done in the patients best interest. Safeguarding patients’ autonomy will always make the patient feel that they are included in all decisions as long as they are mentally sane. Collaboration will include everyone and make sure that everyone is on the same page.
...re are many options for a patient regarding their health care and it is important that they are knowledgeable in all aspects.
The most recent example of interdisciplinary teamwork that I have learned about is a policy that was explained to me during my preceptorship. The policy calls for weekly interdisciplinary rounds where nurses talk about their patients to a team that includes a physician, respiratory therapist, dietitian, and any other member of the healthcare team. The purpose of the weekly rounds is to evaluate the patient 's progress and to adjust and coordinate their care accordingly. This practice is beneficial because it allows all members of the healthcare team to stay up to date on all aspects of care. I believe that being familiar with all aspects of care can aid in making better decisions for the patients. The only negative things I can think of with this practice are the possible increase in paperwork and on a personal note, increased anxiety for the health care worker leading the rounds. Teamwork is not an easy feat, which is why I believe it is a quality that makes employees stand out. I’d say it’s challenging to be part
Between 2009 and 2014 the number of Interdisciplinary Studies degrees conferred to undergraduate students increased by 37 percent (U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2016). However, despite this growth in degrees conferred, many individuals do not know what a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies entails. When some people think of a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, they think it means having a degree with more than one area of study, similar to having two minors instead of one major. However, a degree in Interdisciplinary studies is much more than having a degree with multiple areas of study. The intention of this paper is to define Interdisciplinary Studies, explain how a degree in Interdisciplinary studies can bring two unique areas of study into a cognitive area of study using a metaphor and show the benefits of obtaining a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Further the application of a Christian worldview will be explored when integrated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. As stated in Colossians 3:23, “whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord…” (New Revised Standard Version).
My personal experience with health care has been obscure and limited. I grew up very poor and spent the majority of my life in low income housing. We had virtually no health care and after a while, it began to take a toll on my family’s well-being. My sister and I had check-ups every other year, but no other benefits such as dental care. In second grade I had several health complications. For two weeks I had constant pain in my chest and couldn’t go to school. Even when it became unbearable, my mom refused to take me to the E.R. because she knew the medical bills would be outrageous. I had to pass out from the pain for my mom to finally take me to the hospital, where I was admitted into urgent care. My lungs were filled with fluid and I had a terrible case of pneumonia. I had to get numerous tests done and even had to stay the night while my condition stabilized. The bills from the hospital were – as predicted – outrageously high, but my mom was happy that I was able to come home. The doctors said that if I had waited even a day longer, I probably wouldn’t have made it.