PUBLISHED 29 April 2021
A write up by Y10 student Ayushi
Earlier this year our AKS Medical Society was run up by two students and Miss De Miranda. Here Y10 student Ayushi tells us what they covered in the last session:
In Medical society, Dr Aziz explained and went through what a multidisciplinary team is and what sort of professionals work together, and most importantly, what are the benefits of being in a multidisciplinary team.
I learnt numerous things, starting off with what a multidisciplinary team actually is. A multidisciplinary team is a group of professionals from one or more clinical disciplines who together make decisions regarding recommended treatment of individual patients. The different people have different qualifications, skills and experience however together, they can successfully assess, plan and manage patients with complex care needs. In simple terms, a multidisciplinary team is a care professional team. Based in the community, and networked with primary care, MDTs are expected to work proactively to support individuals’ care goals. These professionals through assessing a range of health, social care and other community services focus on keeping people well and independent, by delivering the right care at home or in the community to prevent unnecessary hospital care.
Dr Aziz talked about how in Lytham, the majority of patients are elderly people, who may have difficulties leading their normal day-to-day activities, as such a multidisciplinary team may send someone to help them. The composition of MDTs varies depending on delivery models and location, but it may include: GPs, specialist doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, social workers and, increasingly, representatives of the housing and voluntary sectors. MDTs also often include link workers or care navigators, who can support social prescribing by connecting individuals with local groups and community support services. Multidisciplinary teams may specialise in certain conditions, such as cancer.
At a multidisciplinary team meeting, they work as a team and may discuss the results of scans and diagnostic tests of patients, to see what further action is needed. If certain actions or care is needed, then they may allocate the task to the most appropriate members of the team.
The benefits of working in a multidisciplinary team is that there is improved patient care and outcomes through the development of an agreed treatment plan. There is also improved coordination of care, educational opportunities for health professionals, streamlined treatment pathways and reduction in duplication of services and it provides comprehensive care with improved patient and team satisfaction. It gives a patient access to an entire team of experts, which increases their trust on them.
I am very thankful for Dr Aziz to take some time out of her busy schedule to discuss this topic with us, as I was unaware of multidisciplinary teams and I did not know what it was. Due to the Medical Society, ran by Anna and Kate with Miss D, I have learnt new things every meeting, so I am extremely glad they have set up this society for me and others, who are interested in medicine, to join. I am looking forward to attending more meetings and gain further insight into the career of medicine.