Interdisciplinary Model
The psychologist in an interdisciplinary team analyses, synthesises and harmonises links between disciplines, building on each other’s expertise to achieve common shared goals.
Competencies that a psychologist should possess include:
Ability to integrate and translate themes shared across several professionals during assessment and intervention phases
Knowledge of, and provision of appropriate assessment and intervention within one’s area of expertise
Flexibility and open-mindedness in sharing of professional responsibilities and responsiveness in assisting other team members
Contributing to case discussions and reflections during team meetings to promote common goals and a shared decision-making process
Contributing skills and knowledge to cross-training and resource-sharing activities to enhance understanding of different areas of expertise
Promotion of good interpersonal relationships and respect between team members
Here are some ideas and resources:
BOOKS
General:
APA Handbook of Community Psychology: Theoretical Foundations, Core Concepts, and Emerging Challenges (2017)| Source: Perkins, D. D., & Schensul, J. J. (American Psychological Association, APA)
Chapter 9 of this book focuses on interdisciplinary contributions to community psychology and transdisciplinary promise (pp. 189-209).
https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/4311524
Early Intervention:
Caring for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Their Families (2004)| Source: Vargas, C. M., & Prelock, P. A. (Routledge)
This book presents a model multidisciplinary approach to care that is family-centred and collaborative which has proven effective in practice. A pillar of the approach is recognition of the importance of performing culturally competent assessment and adjusting service delivery such that it is responsive to cultural differences.
Interdisciplinary Team Assessment for Young Children (2000) | Source: Guralnick, M. J. (Paul H Brooke Publishing Company)
Chapter 1 looks at the different components involved in conducting a clinical assessment for young children, and delineates the different roles of each of the different professions in providing a wholistic assessment of young children with developmental disabilities (pp. 3-15).
https://depts.washington.edu/chdd/guralnick/pdfs/Guralnick_Interdisciplinary_Team_p3-15-2000.pdf
OTHER RESOURCES
General:
Interdisciplinary Approach (2012)
This article shares experiences of early career psychologists in various settings on the benefits of interdisciplinary approach.
Smith. B. L. (2012). Taking psychology further. Monitor on Psychology, 43(3), 58.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/03/interdisciplinary
Community Psychology at the Crossroads (2006)
The purpose of this paper is to help make clear the benefits of interdisciplinary community research and to begin to address its challenges. It also explores the prospects for expanding and improving interdisciplinary community research.
Maton, K. I., Perkins, D. D., & Saegert, S. (2006). Community psychology at the crossroads: Prospects for interdisciplinary research. American Journal of Community Psychology, 38(1-2), 9-21. DOI: 10.1007/s10464-006-9062-3
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.460.7151&rep=rep1&type=pdf
The Conceptual Basis for Interprofessional Collaboration: Core Concepts and Theoretical Frameworks (2005)
This article identifies the conceptual basis for interprofessional collaborations and the theoretical frameworks that underpin interdisciplinary work, and highlights the roles of the psychologist in this process.
D'Amour, D., Ferrada-Videla, M., San Martin Rodriguez, L., & Beaulieu, M. D. (2005). The conceptual basis for interprofessional collaboration: core concepts and theoretical frameworks. Journal of interprofessional care, 19(sup1), 116-131. DOI: 10.1080/13561820500082529
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13561820500082529
Consultation and interprofessional Collaboration (2004)
This article provides information regarding the competencies of the psychologist in the interdisciplinary team setting.
Arredondo, P., Shealy, C., Neale, M., & Winfrey, L. L. (2004). Consultation and interprofessional collaboration: Modeling for the future. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60(7), 787-800. DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20015
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jclp.20015
Working on Working Together. A Systemic Review on how Healthcare Professionals Contribute to Interprofessional Collaboration (2019)
This systemic review demonstrates considerable evidence for professionals actively contributing to interprofessional collaboration and highlights three ways of doing so: by bridging gaps, by negotiating overlaps in roles and tasks, and by creating spaces in which to do so.
Schot, E., Tummers, L., & Noordegraaf (2019). Working on working together. A systemic review on how healthcare professionals contribute to interprofessional collaboration. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 34(3), 332-342.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13561820.2019.1636007?src=recsys
Early Intervention:
Interprofessional Collaboration in Children’s Services (1999)
This article reviews the current state of interprofessional collaboration and barriers to its implementation, and secondly proposes a theoretical framework for interprofessional collaboration that draws on the fundamental principles of human development and provides guidelines for practice.
Walsh, M. E., Brabeck, M. M., & Howard, K. A. (1999). Interprofessional collaboration in children's services: Toward a theoretical framework. Children's services: Social policy, research, and practice, 2(4), 183-208.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15326918cs0204_1
Psychological Services:
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Ethical Issues and Recommendations (2000)
This article explores some of the issues and ethics of interdisciplinary case based on a discussion held among five established mental health professionals. These professionals both provide their perspectives and recommendations for effective interdisciplinary work among practitioners.
Paproski, D. L., & Haverkamp, B. E. (2000). Interdisciplinary collaboration: Ethical issues and recommendations. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 34(2), 85-97.
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ609443.pdf
Synthesizing and Integrating Mental Health Practice: An Interdisciplinary Approach (2012)
This thesis review the literature regarding the collaboration of various disciplines in mental health including history, key aspects of integrating mental health seen through other collaborative efforts, and future direction. It also outlines 8 key features that can facilitate more constructive collaboration in the mental health field.
Paden, D. A. (2012). Synthesizing and integrating mental health practice: An interdisciplinary approach. (pp. 14 – 23). Loma Linda University.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1089&context=etd