Abstract
In this chapter, the authors discuss ICTs in the medical field as well as identify the advantages and disadvantages of their use. By applying Retchin’s (2008) conceptual framework for interprofessional and co-managed care—one that considers the impact of temporality, urgency of care, and structure of authority—the authors provide guidelines and recommendations for how physicians and other crucial health practitioners can use technology to work with each other. More importantly, they explain how information communication technologies can impact overall patient health care and delivery.
TopCommunication In Multidisciplinary Healthcare Teams
Multidisciplinary Team (MDTM) care is defined as an integrated approach where relevant health care professionals from various medical disciplines work together to evaluate medical options and jointly develop treatment plans for their patients (Robertson, Li, O’Hara, & Hansen, 2010). For example, a multidisciplinary team for cancer treatment might consist of surgeons, nutritionists, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, physical and occupational therapists, and social workers as well as general practitioners. The composition of the team varies depending on the medical specialties, facilities, and types of care given (Ellingson, 2002). Each member of the team is vital to the success of the interdisciplinary clinic model, whether the leadership is authoritarian (with one or more physicians in charge), consultative, or cooperative in nature (Granda-Cameron, DeMille, Lynch, Huntzinger, Alcorn, Levicoff, Roop, & Mintzer, 2010). Although there are a variety of interprofessional approaches besides MDTM, this term will generally be used throughout this chapter to refer to all models of collaborative care.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Interdisciplinary Model: A health care approach that places importance on each team member’s contribution and promotes a more coordinated effort at decision making. This perspective occupies the middle ground between absolute physician authority and shared decision making among members.
Temporality: The use of time, whether it is concurrent (occurring simultaneously) or sequentially (occurring asynchronously).
Multidisciplinary Team (MDTM) Care: An integrated approach where relevant health care professionals from various medical disciplines work together to evaluate medical options and jointly develop treatment plans for their patients, another term for interprofessional care.
Synergistic Model: A health care approach that assumes shared decisions among group members. In addition, this model ensures that decisions are patient-centered.
Structure of Authority: How leadership or authority administered or shared in a group or team.
Transdisciplinary Model: A team approach that places a great deal of consideration on the patients’ physical, psychological, and emotional needs. This model encourages shared decision making among the members.
Telemedicine: Healthcare delivery that uses advanced video conferencing communication technologies to close the geographical gap that exists between the licensed caregivers and/or the care receiver, with the primary objective of providing medical diagnosis and treatment.
Urgency of Care: The extent to which care needs to be given immediately, or is critical at a given point in time.
Multidisciplinary Model: A health care approach that assumes that all professionals’ viewpoints and expertise are valuable in the decision-making process.
Unidimensional Model: An approach to health care characterized by one-way communication between the physician and others on the team. The physician informs others of their duties and roles, makes the primary decisions, and expects those decisions to be carried out without question.