Facilitators and Barriers to Multidisciplinary Teamwork in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Care: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Abstract

Purpose: This descriptive qualitative study aims to deepen the understanding of the teamwork processes employed by multidisciplinary healthcare professionals caring for adolescent and young adult cancer patients and identify the facilitators and barriers influencing these teamwork activities.

Patients and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 healthcare professionals working with adolescent and young adult patients with cancer in a major hospital in South Korea. The data were thematically analyzed using NVivo software (14.0), with two researchers independently coding the interview transcripts.

Results: The oncology multidisciplinary team process was identified as comprising three phases: (1) establishing teamwork during admission; (2) strengthening teamwork during active treatment; and (3) concluding teamwork and sustaining connections during care transitions. Key facilitators of teamwork included a positive team atmosphere, enhanced interdisciplinary communication, and a strong workforce. Barriers to effective teamwork were identified at the interpersonal, institutional, and national levels, including inadequate information sharing, role ambiguity, hierarchical communication structures, and limited resources.

Conclusion: Effective care for adolescents and young adults with cancer requires addressing their psychosocial needs through a well-resourced multidisciplinary team. Future research should focus on applying identified facilitators and overcoming barriers to enhance teamwork. This study emphasizes the critical role of nurses in achieving high-quality, patient-centered care.