Multidisciplinary Model
The psychologist in a multidisciplinary team draws on knowledge from the different disciplines of team members but stays within the boundaries of their own expertise to develop individual care goals which then provide a more comprehensive view of the client’s concerns.
Competencies that a psychologist should possess include:
Knowledge of, and demonstrated ability in choice and administration of assessment tools
Knowledge of, and implementation of appropriate intervention, including psychoeducation and debriefs as necessitated
Facilitation of communication between team members, and between the team and clients, caregivers, and other stakeholders
Contribution to case discussions and reflections during team meetings to facilitate case conceptualization and intervention plans
Contribution of skills and knowledge to cross-training and resource-sharing activities
Here are some ideas and resources:
BOOKS
Early Intervention:
Clinical Practice of Pediatric Psychology (2014) | Source: Michael C. Roberts, Brandon S. Aylward, and Yelena P. Wu (Guilford Press)
Chapter 7 looks at the role of pediatric psychologists in multidisciplinary teams. It identifies the prerequisites, effectiveness and potential challenges that may surface when pediatric psychologists work in a multidisciplinary team. A case example is also provided for reference. These valuable opportunities for effective collaboration with other specialists allows psychologists to implement their clinical skills across a range of settings.
Psychological Services
Oxford Guide to Surviving as a CBT Therapist (2010)| Source: Martina Mueller, Helen Kennerley, Freda McManus, and David Westbrook (Oxford University Press)
Chapter 11 of this book outlines processes for working in multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), including the importance of establishing your role as a CBT therapist, common conflicts within MDTs, and suggestions for improving access to CBT in MDT settings.
https://www.oxfordclinicalpsych.com/view/10.1093/med:psych/9780199561308.001.0001/med-9780199561308
VIDEOS
General
What are Multidisciplinary Teams (Integrated care) | Source: Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
This video gives a general overview of what constitutes a multidisciplinary team and general principles – a group of professional coming together to provide person centered care for the individuals in need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bENp2Imh0Rw&t=153s
Early Intervention
60 Seconds at the CDI – Considering the WHOLE Child| Source: Child Development Institute Early Intervention Centre
This video gives an example of how the different skillset of each discipline in MDT is required to support the needs of a child.
https://sw-ke.facebook.com/ChildDevelopmentInstituteSydney/videos/306586807847060/
Psychological Services
Psychologists in Integrated Health Care: Super-utilizer Team Care| Source: American Psychological Association (APA)
This segment features how integrated psychologists working alongside physicians, social workers and pharmacists, learn from each other as they engage in patient-centered care.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsIFRDBelns&t=76s
Psychologists in Integrated Health Care: Inter-professional Team-Care for Wellbeing | Source: American Psychological Association (APA)
This video gives a general overview of what constitutes a multidisciplinary team and general principles – a group of professional coming together to provide person centered care for the individuals in need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dXgs3lFLAU
Psychologist in Integrated Health Care| Source: American Psychological Association (APA)
This website features a series of videos highlighting how psychologists can work side-by-side with other health professionals to improve patients’ overall well-being.
OTHER RESOURCES
General:
Integrated Care Research and Practice| Source: Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
https://www.scie.org.uk/integrated-care/research-practice/activities/multidisciplinary-teams
This website provides a broad overview of what multidisciplinary teams are, how they support integration, the beneficiaries of MDT and the conditions that MDTs should have in order to succeed. There are articles and practice examples available for download at this website.
Five Ways to Describe a Multidisciplinary Team (1996)
This article describes five different ways that are used to describe what is a multidisciplinary team in terms of degree of integration, extent of collective responsibility, membership, client pathway and decision making and management structures. Using these concepts, this helps practitioners clarify their working arrangements and make improvements. These concepts also aid in service planning and research.
Øvretveit, J. (1996). Five ways to describe a multidisciplinary team. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 10(2), 163-171.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/ref/10.3109/13561829609034099?scroll=top
A Practitioner’s Perspective of Multidisciplinary Teams: Analysis of Potential Barriers and Key Factors for Success (2016)
This article highlight the risk factors that hinder effectiveness of MDT and factors that aid MDT, all of which to provide more effective care for clients.
Roncaglia, I. (2016). A practitioner’s perspective of multidisciplinary teams: Analysis of potential barriers and key factors for success. Psychological Thought, 9(1), 15–23.
https://psyct.psychopen.eu/article/view/145/html
A Multilevel Study of Patient-centered Care Perceptions in Mental Health Teams (2021)
This article outline the importance of collaboration in MDT working in patient-centered care.
Durand, F., & Fleury, M.-J. (2021). A multilevel study of patient-centered care perceptions in mental health teams. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 44–44.
Experiences of Two Multidisciplinary Team Members of Systemic Consultations in a Community Learning Disability Service (2017)
This article outlines the experiences of MDT members. Themes such as differing expectations, enabling for the client, positive techniques and uncertainty regarding "forum" consultations are identified.
Johnson, C., & Viljoen, N. (2017). Experiences of two multidisciplinary team members of systemic consultations in a community learning disability service. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 45(3), 172–179.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bld.12191
Prevention: Toward a Multidisciplinary Approach (1987)
This article takes a detailed look at different disciplines and how a multidisciplinary approach to prevention and refine and increase effectiveness. Chapter 1 specifically provides a broad overview of the multidisciplinary approach in areas of teaching, research and intervention.
Jason, L. A., Hess, R. E., Felner, R. D., & Moritsugu, J. N. (1987). Chapter 1: Toward a Multidisciplinary Approach to Prevention. Prevention in Human Services, 5(2), 1-10.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J293v05n02_01?journalCode=wzpe20
Early Intervention:
Multidisciplinary Teamwork in Autism (2014)
This article emphasises on the need of a common focus among professionals in a multi-disciplinary team. ABA is recommended as a unifying framework for professionals to conceptualise and intervene. A case study is presented to demonstrate the use of ABA in a multi-disciplinary team to improve the quality of life for a child with autism.
Dillenburger, K., Röttgers, H. R., Dounavi, K., Sparkman, C., Keenan, M., Thyer, B., & Nikopoulos, C. (2014). Multidisciplinary teamwork in autism: Can one size fit all?. The Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 31(2), 97-112.
The Psychologist on the Multidisciplinary Developmental Disabilities Team (1982)
This article describes the role of a psychologist on a multi-disciplinary team working with developmental disabilities. It includes teaching, research, assessment and counselling.
Udziela, A. D., Shinn, T. K., & Whitman, B. Y. (1982). The psychologist on the multidisciplinary developmental disabilities team. Professional Psychology, 13(6), 782.
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1983-24206-001–788
Using a Multidisciplinary Approach with Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (2017)
This article emphasises on the need for interprofessional collaboration using a multidisciplinary approach to increase the positive health care and educational outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder due to the complexity of the disorder. The multidisciplinary approach is the best practice model for the care and treatment of individuals with multidimensional health problems, like chronic illness and ASD.
Strunk, J., Leisen, M., & Schubert, C. (2017). Using a multidisciplinary approach with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 8, 60-68.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2405452616300040
Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case‑based Overview (2017)
This article highlights a case management using multidisciplinary approach and outlines the roles of the respective members (including psychologist) within the MDT.
Oommen, S. P., Bhattacharyya, S., Koshy, B., Roshan, R., Samuel, L., & Preethi, R. (2017). Management of autism spectrum disorder: A case-based overview. Current Medical Issues, 15(1), 17-27.
Individual Responsibilities in Multidisciplinary Working (2003)
This article describes the responsibilities of different discipline in a MDT in support children with disabilities.
Morton, R. ., Billings, K., Hankinson, J., Hart, D., Nicholson, J., Rowlands, A., Saunders, R., & Walter, A. (2003). Individual responsibilities in multidisciplinary working. Current Paediatrics, 13(1), 23–29.
https://www.paediatricsandchildhealthjournal.co.uk/article/S0957-5839(03)90404-0/pdf
Psychological Services:
Requirements for Multidisciplinary Teamwork in Psychiatric Rehabilitation (2001)
This article outline the attributes of effective MDT, challenges faced by MDT in areas such as communication and collaboration. It also states the roles and expected skills of a psychologist in a MDT.
Liberman, R. P., Hilty, D. M., Drake, R. E., & Tsang, H. W. H. (2001). Requirements for multidisciplinary teamwork in psychiatric rehabilitation. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.), 52(10), 1331–1342.
https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ps.52.10.1331
Balancing Confidentiality and Collaboration Within Multidisciplinary Health Care Teams (2012)
This article outline the ethical challenges of communication in a MDT where psychologist consider providing certain degree information sharing to facilitate discussion yet threatens infringing confidentiality. The article also outline recommendations for ethical practice.
Van Liew, J. R. (2012). Balancing confidentiality and collaboration within multidisciplinary health care teams. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 19(4), 411–417.
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10880-012-9333-0.pdf
‘Chipping in’: Clinical Psychologists’ Descriptions of Their Use of Formulation in Multidisciplinary Team Working (2012)
This article investigates the use of case formulation sharing by psychologists in MDT meeting. The study revealed that sharing formulation in multidisciplinary teams lead to provision of more consistent and coordinated service to clients and helped staff feel supported and valued.
Christofides, S., Johnstone, L., & Musa, M. (2012). “Chipping in”: Clinical psychologists’ descriptions of their use of formulation in multidisciplinary team working. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 85(4), 424–435.
https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.2044-8341.2011.02041.x
Adult Disability:
“Everyone on the Same Team, All Working Together”: Implementing a Co-ordinated Multi-disciplinary Approach to Supporting Young People with Co-occurring Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Issues (2021)
This article provides a preliminary support for the efficacy of a community-based mental health service a and suggests future specialist dual disability services may look to a family-focused, multidisciplinary approach that includes assessment, treatment, and management as an effective treatment model.
Whitehead, R., Hopkins, L., Hughes, E., Kehoe, M., & Pedwell, G. (2021). “Everyone on the same team, all working together”: Implementing a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary approach to supporting young people with co-occurring intellectual disability and mental health issues. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(1), 1–22.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19315864.2020.1864689
Community Learning Disability Teams: Perceived Effectiveness, Multidisciplinary Working and Service User Satisfaction (2007)
This article looks at the effectiveness of community learning disability teams (CLDTs) provide support for people with learning disabilities and their families within the community setting. The barriers and good practices for an effective CLDT are also discussed in this article.
Slevin, E., McConkey, R., Truesdale-Kennedy, M., Barr, O., & Taggart, L. (2007). Community learning disability teams: perceived effectiveness, multidisciplinary working and service user satisfaction. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 11(4), 329-342.
Development and Introduction of “Communication Passport” in an Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Unit for Persons With Intellectual Disabilities: A Brief Report from Singapore (2018)
This article describes an example of multidisciplinary work in Singapore in IMH in research to improve coordination of care amongst caregivers and care providers. The tool developed is a communication passport.
Sajith, S. G., Teo, Y., & Ling, C. S. (2018). Development and introduction of “communication passport” in an adult inpatient psychiatric unit for persons with intellectual disabilities: A brief report from Singapore. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 15(2), 166–170.