It is a truth universally acknowledged that occupational therapists are only one link in the extraordinarily talented chain that is the multidisciplinary team. Working among other health professionals as a student is a rewarding, insightful, and inspiring experience.
"An MDT is a collection of professionals from different disciplines who share a common area of working practice" (Clarke & Forster, 2015). My fieldwork experience this year has allowed for a wonderful opportunity to engage with a multidisciplinary team. My current venue promotes interaction among team members by having a communal work area and multidisciplinary gym. As a student, I've found it so heartwarming to be recognized and accepted as a part of the multidisciplinary team in my current placement site. Having the opportunity to collaborate with physiotherapists and speech therapists on sessions, consulting with each other about progress, and discussing joint treatment interventions is a great learning opportunity whilst ensuring the client is given the most comprehensive care possible. Clarke and Forster (2015) explain this collaboration between members as an opportunity to understand the treatment rationale of different disciplines, which allows for progression from "what am I trained to do as an OT" to “what does the patient need and how can this be provided collaboratively".
This week, I have had the opportunity to engage with 3 members of the MDT, including my client's physiotherapist, social worker and speech therapist. Client C, who suffered a stroke and presents with aphasia, has just begun walking in physiotherapy sessions. Observing these sessions allows me to gauge an idea of the client's functional prognosis with regard to mobility. I have found that observing my clients whilst they are working with another team member can provide a great deal of insight, not only into their physical functioning but is also an insightful look into their personalities. As both my clients are aphasic, watching them interact socially with other therapists has been rewarding as I am able to pick up on what coordination and handling techniques to carry over into my own sessions.
Epstein (2014) noted that teamwork improved communication between different levels of healthcare workers and limited adverse events. When consulting with the physiotherapist this week, I was able to gain a lot of information about how problems with lower limb function being addressed in physio sessions (such as tibialis anterior tightening) may impact on my client's performance during OT session (when engaging in activities such as transfers). As each health practitioner is a specialist in their field, the knowledge that they have and the approaches that they use can provide guidance to one's own intervention. For example, knowing that the physio is improving walking but has noted that there will most likely be residual gait disturbances, as an OT I can factor this into my sessions conducted in standing and factor in fatigue and low endurance due to gait disturbances when planning. Just having the opportunity to consult with another team member and seeing my client through their eyes has been highly rewarding, as it contributes to a greater understanding of the client as a whole.
Being a member of the MDT is also beneficial in that you can rely on team members to pool resources, time and information. Often, I will gain additional information that is not in my client's file from team members who have discovered a tit-bit in passing conversations with clients. One lifesaving part of having the MDT for support as a student, is knowing that other team members are in the working environment and can be called upon during sessions for advice, support or just an extra pair of hands. As a student in the midst of a draining test week, our two practical sessions this week felt almost like a burden. As much as I enjoy being on prac, there is a great deal of planning involved and this week I struggled to find the energy to power through. Luckily, I had jotted down some ideas for sessions when my brain was fully charged last week and could expand on those in this week's sessions. My decreased attention span must have shown because a kind team member was nice enough to point out two items I'd completely forgotten to give to my client at the end of my session. Not only do team members help you learn, they help you to make it through your day.
So yes, it is a truth universally acknowledged that occupational therapists are only one link in the extraordinarily talented chain that is the multidisciplinary team. For the benefit of the client, it is our responsibility to be good team players, collaborate effectively and learn from each other, in order to provide the best possible care.
Here's a great article on how to implement some good team work strategies that can easily translate into the hospital team environment
https://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2015/07/14/10-qualities-of-an-excellent-team-player-at-any-workplace/
Until next week,
Kaylee
References:
Clarke, D. J., & Forster, A. (2015). Improving post-stroke recovery: the role of the multidisciplinary health care team. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare, 8, 433.
Epstein, N. E. (2014). Multidisciplinary in-hospital teams improve patient outcomes: A review. Surgical Neurology International, 5(Suppl 7), S295.
Pictures:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi6kMGSnsbhAhWisXEKHSn-AvIQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.123rf.com%2Fphoto_62112747_stock-vector-pictogram-puzzle-bulb-teamwork-support-collaborative-cooperation-work-icon-set-colorful-design-vecto.html&psig=AOvVaw2asJtZNsP7AJcmX4NEXMvv&ust=1555010022077520
https://www.lifehack.org/299413/16-timeless-quotes-about-the-power-learning
"An MDT is a collection of professionals from different disciplines who share a common area of working practice" (Clarke & Forster, 2015). My fieldwork experience this year has allowed for a wonderful opportunity to engage with a multidisciplinary team. My current venue promotes interaction among team members by having a communal work area and multidisciplinary gym. As a student, I've found it so heartwarming to be recognized and accepted as a part of the multidisciplinary team in my current placement site. Having the opportunity to collaborate with physiotherapists and speech therapists on sessions, consulting with each other about progress, and discussing joint treatment interventions is a great learning opportunity whilst ensuring the client is given the most comprehensive care possible. Clarke and Forster (2015) explain this collaboration between members as an opportunity to understand the treatment rationale of different disciplines, which allows for progression from "what am I trained to do as an OT" to “what does the patient need and how can this be provided collaboratively".
This week, I have had the opportunity to engage with 3 members of the MDT, including my client's physiotherapist, social worker and speech therapist. Client C, who suffered a stroke and presents with aphasia, has just begun walking in physiotherapy sessions. Observing these sessions allows me to gauge an idea of the client's functional prognosis with regard to mobility. I have found that observing my clients whilst they are working with another team member can provide a great deal of insight, not only into their physical functioning but is also an insightful look into their personalities. As both my clients are aphasic, watching them interact socially with other therapists has been rewarding as I am able to pick up on what coordination and handling techniques to carry over into my own sessions.
Epstein (2014) noted that teamwork improved communication between different levels of healthcare workers and limited adverse events. When consulting with the physiotherapist this week, I was able to gain a lot of information about how problems with lower limb function being addressed in physio sessions (such as tibialis anterior tightening) may impact on my client's performance during OT session (when engaging in activities such as transfers). As each health practitioner is a specialist in their field, the knowledge that they have and the approaches that they use can provide guidance to one's own intervention. For example, knowing that the physio is improving walking but has noted that there will most likely be residual gait disturbances, as an OT I can factor this into my sessions conducted in standing and factor in fatigue and low endurance due to gait disturbances when planning. Just having the opportunity to consult with another team member and seeing my client through their eyes has been highly rewarding, as it contributes to a greater understanding of the client as a whole.
Being a member of the MDT is also beneficial in that you can rely on team members to pool resources, time and information. Often, I will gain additional information that is not in my client's file from team members who have discovered a tit-bit in passing conversations with clients. One lifesaving part of having the MDT for support as a student, is knowing that other team members are in the working environment and can be called upon during sessions for advice, support or just an extra pair of hands. As a student in the midst of a draining test week, our two practical sessions this week felt almost like a burden. As much as I enjoy being on prac, there is a great deal of planning involved and this week I struggled to find the energy to power through. Luckily, I had jotted down some ideas for sessions when my brain was fully charged last week and could expand on those in this week's sessions. My decreased attention span must have shown because a kind team member was nice enough to point out two items I'd completely forgotten to give to my client at the end of my session. Not only do team members help you learn, they help you to make it through your day.
So yes, it is a truth universally acknowledged that occupational therapists are only one link in the extraordinarily talented chain that is the multidisciplinary team. For the benefit of the client, it is our responsibility to be good team players, collaborate effectively and learn from each other, in order to provide the best possible care.
Here's a great article on how to implement some good team work strategies that can easily translate into the hospital team environment
https://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2015/07/14/10-qualities-of-an-excellent-team-player-at-any-workplace/
Until next week,
Kaylee
References:
Clarke, D. J., & Forster, A. (2015). Improving post-stroke recovery: the role of the multidisciplinary health care team. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare, 8, 433.
Epstein, N. E. (2014). Multidisciplinary in-hospital teams improve patient outcomes: A review. Surgical Neurology International, 5(Suppl 7), S295.
Pictures:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi6kMGSnsbhAhWisXEKHSn-AvIQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.123rf.com%2Fphoto_62112747_stock-vector-pictogram-puzzle-bulb-teamwork-support-collaborative-cooperation-work-icon-set-colorful-design-vecto.html&psig=AOvVaw2asJtZNsP7AJcmX4NEXMvv&ust=1555010022077520
https://www.lifehack.org/299413/16-timeless-quotes-about-the-power-learning
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