Training health and social care professionals in multidisciplinary team working: a document analysis of undergraduate educational requirements.

Abstract

Delivery of health and social care in the UK has shifted toward an integrated care approach in which health and social care professionals work together across preexisting healthcare boundaries in interprofessional teams, referred in UK policy as multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs). If integrated working is to be successful, it is essential that all professionals have the necessary skills to work together effectively. We examined the educational requirements relating to MDT working for different health and social care professions as mandated by regulatory or professional bodies in England to determine current standards and how these may vary across professions. Twenty-six documents were searched using keywords related to MDT working for nine professions; Dietetics, Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Social Work. Extracts were subjected to content analysis, and categories mapped across professions. Four categories were identified: Interprofessional learning, MDT working, improving patient care, and healthcare policy. Despite areas of consistency (all professions required learning from other professionals) there were some marked differences. A more consistent approach to training our health and social care workforce would better facilitate integrated care delivery.