MULTI-DISCIPLINARY WORK AND ASSESSMENT

1. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY WORK AND ASSESSMENT L.O. • What do we mean by the term ‘multi-disciplinary assessment’ • How important multi-disciplinary working can be when assessing and providing care services • How does ‘person centred care’ help the service user • What is the Single Assessment Process (SAP)

2. Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) and assessment A team of professionals drawn from various disciplines within the Trust with different professional training and expertise, meeting regularly to coordinate their work providing services to one or more clients and working for the patients’ benefit.

3. ‘Multidisciplinary team working’ • The term ‘Multidisciplinary team working’ means that members of different professions work together. For example, teachers may no longer find themselves working alone or exclusively with members of their own profession but may also be in multidisciplinary teams composed of classroom assistants, nursery nurses, learning support auxiliaries, educational psychologists, community educators, health and social workers, and parent volunteers. • The emphasis is on working together to deliver a co-ordinated service to service-users, for example pupils in schools, members of the community, or patients in Health service.

4. A number of factors can encourage multidisciplinary working. • Personal commitment: Committed individuals with wealth of experience and professional networks and other staff well supported in order to reach their developing levels of competence. • A common goal: People developing a share vision of their organisation’s future.

5. Equally a number of factors can inhibit multidisciplinary teamwork • Logistics: Organising and delivering meetings involving several professional groups and staff from more than one department. • Attitudes of team members: Multidisciplinary team working requires mutual understanding between professions. Good communication, awareness of each other, breaking down barriers and develop an appreciation of strengths and weaknesses of team members.

6. Why is multi-disciplinary working important? • It can provide effective and efficient use of resources. • Services provided ensure ‘best fit’, especially where the service user has complex needs. • Services can be identified and accessed/purchased more easily. • Services can also be monitored and adjusted easily.

7. It helps to avoid duplication of services. • It encourages partnership and flexibility. • The service user and his/her family are at the centre • of the process/person centred care. • Part of team-working. • Everyone is working towards common objectives. • It empowers service users.

8. It is hoped that by developing multidisciplinary working, the service user e.g. patient, will not have to continually respond to the same questions. Professionals will also benefit as they will be supported as part of a team and they will also be kept up to date with the services user’s progress.

9. What do we mean by ‘person centred care’ and a Single Assessment Process? • Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfaU-1VbM2k

10. EXAM QUESTION (examplar paper) Mr Brown has a severe disability. His is 50 years of age, unmarried and for the last 3 years has lived with his sister and her family. Mr Brown suffered a severe stroke, which has left him with little mobility and slurred speech. He is, however, mentally very alert. Mr Brown feels a burden to his sister and would like to move out and live independently in the community. Mr Brown and his sister contacted their local Social Services Department for advice and assistance. A social worker was assigned to Mr Brown’s case and a multi disciplinary assessment was subsequently undertaken to identify Mr. Brown’s needs. Mr. Brown also submitted an application to live in sheltered accommodation close to where his sister lives.

11. Answer the following questions (2a,b) Mr Brown’s care plan involved a multi- disciplinary assessment being carried out to identify his needs. a) Define the term ‘multi disciplinary assessment’ (2) (1) for a brief definition (2) for a full definition b) Explain the importance of multi-disciplinary working when assessing and providing Mr Brown with care services. (2) (2x1) for one of the points identified and fully explained

12. Also... George is 46 years of age and is a recovering alcoholic. Six months ago he was admitted under mental health legislation to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit. The unit uses a multi-disciplinary approach in providing care to service users. Part of George’s care plan involves attending a day centre run by a voluntary organisation. The voluntary organisation attempts to promote the individuals’ social and life skills so that when service users leave the unit they can live independently in the community.

13. Exam paper/ June 2008/ 2dThe unit uses a multi-disciplinary approach when working with service users Explain two benefits of this approach. (8 marks) 1 mark for each of two identifications 1 mark for development of each identified benefit, but with a limited explanation 2-3 marks for development of each identified benefit, which is accurate in content 1.Holistic needs of clients are met in an effective way. 2. Client-focused including family. 3. Part of team working 4. Beneficial where service user has complex needs. 5. Avoids duplication of services. 6. Empowered 7. Range of professions to meet need.

14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh7tIr4Tl1o&NR=1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY WORKING – LEICESTER HOSPITAL