Communication - making it happen
Work through this week’s learning material to explore the practical application of MDT working, including communication, coordination of care and the sharing of key information across services.
This week, you will begin exploring the practical application of multidisciplinary care and consider how communication, coordination and shared understanding support effective MDT working.
Start by watching this short video introduction from Sally Mercer, which outlines the focus of this week’s learning.
Video transcript
Hello and welcome to week four of the course.
This week, you will begin to consider the practical application of multidisciplinary care.
Effective multidisciplinary care relies on teamwork, whatever structure your team works within. Teamwork can be understood as the willingness of a group of people to work together towards a common goal.
Team members bring together different strengths, skills and perspectives to achieve something that would not be possible individually. In this context, the shared aim is to provide the best possible care for people living with MND.
This week, you will read a number of short case studies and consider how you would communicate with MDT colleagues to ensure that important actions and decisions are understood and carried out effectively.
As you work through the activities, consider the following focus questions:
- Who needs to know what within the MDT?
- How can key messages from your role be communicated clearly and acted upon by the wider team?
- How is communication currently organised within your work environment?
Focus questions
- Who needs to know what within the MDT?
- How can key messages from your role be communicated clearly and acted upon by the wider team?
- How is communication currently organised within your work environment?
Recommended reading
The NICE guideline on MND highlights the importance of coordinated care, although it does not specify who should take responsibility for coordination. In practice, MDTs may organise coordination in different ways, and several approaches can be effective.
Processes such as advance care planning can support communication and coordination across services, helping ensure that the wishes and preferences of people living with MND are understood and respected. Shared documentation can also reduce repetition for patients and help professionals understand what discussions, decisions and interventions have already taken place.
Further reading
If you would like to explore the topic in more depth, the following resources may also be useful: