The Essential Role of Multidisciplinary Teamwork in Addressing Emerging Health Challenges

Abstract

The multidisciplinary teamwork approach is believed to be necessary in the ever-changing phase of healthcare to cope with complex, newly evolving health problems. Further, the call for collective, multidisciplinary approaches of various healthcare disciplines is important to ensure that challenges that emerge in health are met with their multiple dimensions (1). Multidisciplinary approach is necessary due to emerging health challenges such as the rapid growth in the number of chronic diseases, increasing challenges in mental health, and introduction of complexities of technology. Evidence is clear that no single discipline can address a person's complete care, and therefore, teamwork is the way to go. For example, millions of patients with several health meets each year in the United States require coordination and delivery of healthcare across a team of various clinicians and support staff for safety and the achievement of the desired quality results (2).

Although there are many advantages to working in a multidisciplinary way, there are quite a few barriers as well. They include the varied perceptions of what teamwork means by different team members, the need to acquire skills in team dynamics, and the impact that hierarchical structures can have on behaviour. Such adversities are best bridged through the creation and sustenance of an environment that nurtures effective team dynamics, open communication, training, and development opportunities. Promotion of effective multidisciplinary teamwork is dependent on the efforts the healthcare organization put into investing in the team building and continuous professional development promotion. Education programs that promote understanding and mutual respect among the team members, trust, and team working are therefore essential. Implementation of organizational strategies that enhance better integration among the different professionals will go a long way in promoting teamwork effectiveness and enhancing patient outcomes (3).

Multidisciplinary teamwork is more than just a benefit; it is the need for today's complicated health challenges. Bringing in multidisciplinary teamwork fosters collaboration among varying disciplines to improve efficiency and care quality, which culminates in better patient outcomes. Collaboration will enable healthcare professionals to deal with present and prospective health challenges more effectively. Link Medical Journal of Health and Community Research is dedicated to developing understanding and practice of health and wellness, at individual and community levels. We seek to publish research that probes health and wellness dynamics and their implications on health behaviours, interventions, policies, and outcomes to develop an in-depth understanding (4).