Multidisciplinary Teams Working for Integrated Care

By admin | March 3, 2023

Integrated Multidisciplinary Teams Working for Efficient Elderly Care

Multidisciplinary therapy and clinical teams aim to deliver effective, well-coordinated patient care through an integrated group of specialist healthcare personnel, procedures, and disciplines.

Most healthcare professionals specialise in a specific area of therapy or rehabilitation, and so the integrated multidisciplinary approach allows for individual health professionals to combine their expertise in one multi-functional, specialist team. This integrated approach enables hospitals, primary care providers, and therapists to provide efficient, joined up holistic therapy for elderly patients suffering with a range of health conditions.

What Are the Benefits of Multidisciplinary Teams in Elderly Care?

One of the main benefits of having a multidisciplinary team (MDT) assigned to the treatment of an elderly patient is the wider understanding of specific age-related health conditions and their treatments.

Multidisciplinary teams are assembled based on the particular therapy needs of the elderly patient, their family and carers. The multi-faceted composition of healthcare professionals improves patient care, decreases the likelihood of unplanned hospital admissions, and accelerates the identification and deployment of therapy and treatments – improving recovery time.

MDTs are of particular importance when deployed in the implementation of post-discharge treatment plans, as it is often in the community setting where patients require the most support.  When in hospital, therapists are on hand to provide treatment whenever needed; one of the tasks required of an MDT is ensuring that this level of treatment continues when the person has returned home, minimising the risk of readmission to a hospital or residential care setting.

Some of the benefits of deploying a multidisciplinary team include:

  • Providing a range of therapy options through a team of people with individual specialties
  • Effective communication and coordination between disciplines, leading to better treatment outcomes
  • Increased respect and understanding of the patient’s needs
  • Effective implementation of treatment and therapy plans
  • Improved recovery times for the patient

What Healthcare Professionals Make up a Multidisciplinary Team?

A multidisciplinary team (MTD) typically comprises a number of different healthcare professionals, with the composition of skills based on a patient’s individual therapy needs and requirements. Each professional within an MDT provides a specific area of healthcare expertise, with team members combining to provide a holistic approach to elderly physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

A multidisciplinary care team for elderly patients typically consists of some or all of the following professionals (depending on the patient’s exact needs):

As experts in elderly rehabilitation and care, members of the Therapies on Thames team of fully-qualified, experienced chartered physiotherapists and occupational therapists often form part of multidisciplinary teams for elderly patients and their carers, particularly in the period immediately following hospital discharge.

About Therapies on Thames

Therapies on Thames offers specialist rehabilitation services for the elderly across the UK. With a head office located in Berkshire, and inpatient centres in Surrey and Gloucestershire, our team provides inpatient and home visit services for those who need physiotherapy or occupational therapy to help recover from an injury or ongoing health issues.

All physiotherapists at Therapies on Thames are registered Charted Physiotherapists with the CSP (Charted Society of Physiotherapy) and are registered with the Health & Care Professionals Council. For added peace of mind all our physiotherapist are Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.

A charted physiotherapist is a title that only a fully qualified physiotherapist registered with the CSP (Charted Society of Physiotherapy) can use. Charted Physiotherapists have undergone intense training and have a 3–4-year university degree or equivalent and are recognised by medical professions and the Department of Health.

If you or a loved one needs assistance in regaining or maintaining an active life, contact us today by completing our contact form.

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