Nurses’ perceptions of multidisciplinary team work in acute health‐care

Abstract

Multidisciplinary teamwork is viewed as one of the key processes through which care is managed in the British National Health Service, and yet is often viewed as one of the most problematic. Working in a multidisciplinary team requires many skills, which involves understanding not only one's own role but also the role of other professionals. The aim of this study was to explore nurses' perceptions of multidisciplinary teamwork in acute health-care. Nineteen nurses were interviewed using the critical incident approach to obtain their perceptions of multidisciplinary teamwork. Direct observation was conducted to record interactions between nurses and health-care professionals in multidisciplinary teams. In total, 14 meetings were attended in elder care and orthopaedics and seven in acute medicine. The findings of this study identified three barriers that hindered teamwork: (i) differing perceptions of teamwork; (ii) different levels of skills acquisitions to function as a team member; and (iii) the dominance of medical power that influenced interaction in teams. Thus, education establishments and nursing managers need to ensure that the acquisition of team-playing skills is an integral part of continued professional development.

A multidisciplinary learning experience contributing to mental health rehabilitation

“…It is without doubt that clinicians who work in a MDT require understanding of the roles of other professionals with whom they collaborate [9]. However, getting students to truly appreciate the value and differences that a MDT can offer, can be challenging for those who educate them.…”

Difficulties Encountered in Collaborative Care: Logistics Trumps Desire

“…These include a lack of understanding of roles, 23,24 knowledge, and responsibilities; cultural differences between professions 25 ; differing perceptions of teamwork 22,26 -28 ; and power differentials created by the dominance of medical power. 29 In addition, it has been noted that work overload can impede interdisciplinary cooperation, and confusion about role boundaries and expectations can decrease quality of care. 30 -32 Other barriers include time limitations, 33,34 lack of efficient communication, 23,24,31,35,36 a lack of trust and respect, 37 and geographic separation that promotes working in "silos."…”

Mapping Collective Sensemaking in Communication: The Interprofessional Patient Case Review in Acute Care Rounds

“…Opie (1997Opie ( , 2000 calls this discursive knowledge work, 1 and communication can be considered the interprofessional practice itself. One of this article's main contributions is its suggestion that the interprofessional patient case review-as communicative practice-should serve as a site for inquiry into ICP, as it is here that shared mental models, shared goals, and role and situation awareness are brought to life (Atwal & Caldwell, 2006;Billett, 2014;Evans & Baker, 2012;San Martín-Rodríguez, Beaulieu, D' Amour, & FerradaVidela, 2005;Schroder et al, 2011;Suter et al, 2009 Communication.…”