Interdisciplinary Health Care

Interdisciplinary, Multidisciplinary--What's the Difference?

As is obvious from the term, unidisciplinary practice refers to functioning in isolation from members of other disciplines. In this "traditional" model, one provider works independently to care for a patient. Confusion comes in when interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary terminology is used. Is there a difference between these two terms? Indeed, there is a difference--although often the terms are inappropriately used interchangeably.

According to the Interdisciplinary Teams Training Project Resource Manual, published by the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Colorado AHEC System, "Multidisciplinary practice involves membership in a clinical group, practicing with an awareness of and toleration for other disciplines." In this model, the manual continues, "groups of professionals provide discipline-specific care, independently of one another .... The patient’s problems are subdivided and treated in parallel. Each provider conducts his/her practice in a parallel relationship with that of other group members." While this practice at least acknowledges the importance of other disciplines and perhaps leads to increased opportunities for collaboration, multidisciplinary practice is not the ideal reached for by proponents of interdisciplinary practice.

The Resource Manual states that "Interdisciplinary practice implies the existence of a . . . team. This is an integrated approach in which team providers actively coordinate care and services across disciplines." The following information describing interdisciplinary practice is adapted from the Resource Manual.

The interdisciplinary collaborative team model is based on:

  

1.Integrated care. Care across disciplines is integrated so that individual providers may modify decisions which impact the care decisions of other providers.

2.Open communication. Consistent, open lines of communication are maintained between disciplines. The patient (and family) is actively involved in the discussion of care. Pathways of communication are ensured by the organizational structure.

3.Providers are trained in teamwork concepts and tools. Collaborative decision making is employed, rather than hierarchical decisions or compromises. Team members have skills in communication, conflict resolution, and leadership.

4.Respect for other team members. Team members are open-minded and respectful of other disciplines. Leadership may vary depending on the specific task. There is a recognition that the combined contribution of many is of greater value than the contribution of only one.

The Pew Foundation has recommended interdisciplinary practice for the health professions, and academic health centers are including it in their strategic plans and directives. Healthy People 2010 also recommends it.

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Developed and Maintained by Penny Bianconi
Last Updated May, 2003