Effective health care provision i s increasingly dependent upon good team working with the recognition that the contribution of dtflerent disciplines is essential w high quality care and good patient outcome. While there is a growing literature about the important antecedents to effitive teamwork, relatively little is known about nurses' (the title nurse is used as a generic tenn to indicate midwives and health visitors) views of the multiZis&plinay team (MDT). %findings of a large intariew sumey (n=449) are desctibed and the diffkrmces between dt&ent nursing groups explored. These data formed part of a study exploring the perceptions and needs of continuing professional education among qualified and unqualified nurses. More than a quarter of the sample (28%) were not familiar with the term M D T and a similar proportion were unable to give a clear description of a MDT. Multivariate analysis also indicated that familiarity with the tenn M D T was associated with the status of partzitpants within the organisation. 1356-1820/99/010077-13 0 Marylebone Centre Trust J Interprof Care Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Ulster at Jordanstown on 12/04/14 For personal use only. J Interprof Care Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Ulster at Jordanstown on 12/04/14 For personal use only. d i d management. London: IHSM. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 19, 328-335. of an interview study. Journal of Advanced Num'ng, 23, 999-1007. London: HMSO. sfandad and audir mearum. London: Chameleon Press. J Interprof Care Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Ulster at Jordanstown on 12/04/14 For personal use only.