Managing Multidisciplinary Healthcare Teams: 5 Best Practices
Providing exceptional patient care requires collaboration, communication, and trust. Facilities can ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients by building a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
In hospitals and other patient care facilities, these teams of professionals work together to plan and execute complex care. Healthcare leaders who foster interprofessional teamwork see higher staff satisfaction scores, fewer healthcare errors, and better patient outcomes.
Learn what it takes to build a high-quality team, and discover five best practices for optimal care coordination at your facility.
What Is a Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team?
Holistic, patient-centered care requires a diversified and well-rounded staff. Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) can work together to build and execute care plans for each patient. By providing comprehensive and coordinated care, the MDT can ensure treatment goals are met and patient wellness is achieved.
Many different employees work together to make a multidisciplinary team in healthcare. Examples of staff members involved include:
- Nurses
- Doctors
- Respiratory therapists
- Medical assistants
- Dieticians
- Physical therapists
- Psychologists
Each staff member contributes their own skill set and expertise. For example, a doctor may lead the team in establishing a diagnosis and writing care orders. A nurse executes these orders and provides medication and teaching. The medical assistant would support these efforts by addressing patient hygiene and emotional support needs.
The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Team in Healthcare
Collaboration and coordination is essential in healthcare. Multidisciplinary team members allow for a “divide and conquer” technique that helps ensure all tasks are completed by the most appropriate care provider. This shared trust allows each member of the team to focus on their assigned responsibilities, knowing that others on the team are doing the same.
There are clear benefits of using an MDT to provide care to your patients, which are highlighted in the table below.
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| Efficient use of resources | Dividing tasks according to specialty reduces redundancy and saves healthcare facilities money. With large, diversified medical teams, more patients are able to receive specialized care. |
| Better care coordination | Patient harm is minimized when staff collaborate on a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Roles and responsibilities are divided among staff members, helping patients and staff to see the big picture. Teams work together to provide oversight for treatment plans and care techniques, minimizing healthcare error. |
| Reduced staff burnout | Anyone who’s been a part of an incredible team knows the exhilaration that comes after a group accomplishment. Staff members who work in high-performing teams have higher job satisfaction, better work-life balance, and reduced levels of burnout. |
| Decreased patient length of stay | Studies show that effective teamwork and communication can reduce a patient’s hospital stay. Teamwork helps improve efficiency, allowing providers to see more patients in a shorter amount of time. |
These are just a few of the many perks associated with strong interprofessional teamwork in the healthcare setting. Facilities can build a culture of safety and improve many areas of care provision by fostering meaningful collaboration in the workplace.
What Are 5 Best Practices for Optimizing Teamwork?
Understanding the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork is the first step in providing coordinated care. To help your facility encourage more effective teamwork, we’ve outlined five evidence-based best practices for developing camaraderie and synergy in your workplace.
1. Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities
Healthcare administrators should establish the roles and responsibilities of a multidisciplinary team and educate their employees on the duties within their scope of practice. Understanding staff member functions can help teams plan tasks and organize their schedules.
It’s also important to know the chain of command for the unit and hospital levels. Having a team lead is helpful during patient decompensation or another emergency.
2. Create Shared Workspaces
Facilities can help build teamwork and collaboration by moving away from smaller, discipline-based workrooms and toward larger, shared spaces where teams can problem solve, explore solutions, and develop plans of care.
Nurses in some facilities document patient data in a central station while other disciplines like doctors and dieticians are placed in small offices throughout the hospital. To foster collaboration, all providers should chart and discuss medical orders together, preferably somewhere in the department or unit.
3. Build Communication Platforms to Promote Teamwork
One-on-one messaging platforms limit teamwork and group problem solving. Building a HIPAA-compliant group chat function into communication platforms and electronic medical records helps teams stay informed and updated on patient needs.
4. Debrief After Challenging Situations
After stressful or upsetting situations, it’s important to support your staff by allowing time and space to debrief. It’s equally important to discourage a culture of blame after emergency events. Allowing staff to discuss openly, but respectfully, helps relieve anxiety and improve patient outcomes in future critical events.
5. Encourage Team-Building Events Outside of Work
Hosting fun group activities outside of the hospital can help develop your multidisciplinary healthcare team. These activities can include:
- Hiking or group exercise classes on days off.
- Going out to dinner after a long shift.
- Attending birthday or graduation parties for members of staff.
Teams whose members know each other on a personal level often have stronger trust and communication. When employees feel happy and comfortable at work, they have higher job satisfaction.
Learn More Ways to Foster Teamwork at Your Facility
Now that you understand how a multidisciplinary healthcare team benefits your patients, you’re probably looking to discover more ways to provide high-quality care. Follow along in our free IntelyCare newsletter for more tips on how to foster collaboration and improve outcomes at your facility.