Multi Disciplinary Working

Question 1

What is Multi-disciplinary working?

Answer 1

When practitioners from different disciplines work together

Question 2

What does fragmented care mean? How does it happen?

Answer 2

Fragmented care occurs when different healthcare providers do not work well together.

The lack of collaboration is caused by each healthcare provider working in their own bubble.

Question 3

What is a joined-up / collaborative approach to support (and safeguarding specifically)?

Answer 3

A joined-up approach to safeguarding involves multi-agency collaboration –

which is when safeguarding partners including schools and local authorities work together to promote the wellbeing of a child

Question 4

Why are multi-disciplinary teams needed?

Answer 4

Who has ultimate responsibility for the patient’s overall care if they have multiple needs?
Who has what role in the care process? This is not always clear to patients with complex multiple problems and their care providers.

A Multi-disciplinary approach means that all care providers work together in the patient’s best interests.

Question 5

READ ME - what you should know to answer a question on MDT (multidisciplinary teams) in the exam

Answer 5

To pass - identify what an MDT is, what the roles are and what they do (relating to the specific case study)
MERIT - why is each role important? What are advantages and disadvantages of an MDT (apply to the scenario if a case study)
DISTINCTION: explain impact of an MDT that is working well together on the patient (or what should have been done if the case study is where it has failed and the impact it has had)

Question 6

List some advantages of an MDT

Answer 6

Meet all of a patient’s PIES - Holistic care.
Staff can receive training specific to their role.
Specialist staff who have greater expertise in their area.
Sharing of resources.
Reduced costs – more expensive staff only spend time completing more advanced work.
Sharing of good practice, ideas, discussion of patient information.
If one member of staff is sick others can continue the care - it reduces pressure on individual staff.
Less chance of neglect
It stops people from having to repeat things eg tests 🡪 reduces costs and resource wastage
It co-ordinates the provision of care - better time management.

Question 7

List some disadvantages of an MDT

Answer 7

Patients may ‘slip through the net’.
Information may not be shared - Missed opportunities due to “someone else doing it”.
Confidentiality is broken/ prevents some information from being shared.
Staff perceptions of work which is being done may differ from work actually done.
Lack of funding.
Lack of relationship.
Lack of continuity.
Lack of professional identity? Some staff are concerned that other professions may tend to take the lead on some cases e.g. Medical professionals taking the lead on social work cases.

Question 8

How do different practitioners work in partnership (methods of working / communicating?)

Answer 8

Jointly interviewing clients
Email / referral forms
Telephone conversations
Sharing paper / electronic notes
Team meetings
Conferences
Sharing an office
Setting up networks and forums
Letters

Question 9

What is an “holistic approach”

Answer 9

The work of a multidisciplinary team is that they ensure a holistic approach is taken to planning and implementation of a care programme It means health and social care professionals must not only provide their specialist support but also see this in the context of their wider needs. At a care planning meeting their physical, social, emotional and Intellectual needs of the service use will be considered. The care plan must meet the ‘whole of the person’.

PHYSICAL
SOCIAL
PSYCHOLOGICAL
SPIRITUAL

Question 10

List some bullet points of how multi-disciplinary teams can support service users:

Answer 10

The need for joined-up working with other service providers.

Range of specialists involved to meet all needs.

Holistic care ensuring all areas of support are addressed.

Ensures gaps in provision are addressed.

Ensure that service user is involved in planning and decision making.

Provide access to an advocate to ensure service user can voice preferences
and choices.

Review of care plans to monitor the effectiveness and make appropriate
changes.

Promote their rights.

Assessment identifying the different needs that can be effectively met by
multidisciplinary working.

Care planning cycle, monitoring and regular reviews.

Problems may include gaps in services, professional conflicts, poor
communication, lack of a seamless service, inadequate funding.