Interdisciplinary Team
Collaborative team including multiple healthcare disciplines
Definition
An interdisciplinary (or multidisciplinary) team is a group of healthcare professionals from different disciplines collaborating to provide comprehensive patient care. Each member contributes specialized expertise.
Common Members
- Nurses
- Physicians/providers
- Pharmacists
- Physical therapists (PT)
- Occupational therapists (OT)
- Speech-language pathologists (SLP)
- Respiratory therapists (RT)
- Dietitians
- Social workers
- Chaplains
- Case managers
Nursing Role
Nurses often coordinate the team, communicate updates, advocate for the patient, participate in rounds, and implement the plan of care. Know when to refer: dysphagia → SLP; mobility → PT; activities of daily living → OT; discharge planning → social worker/case manager.
NCLEX Relevance
Match patient needs to appropriate discipline for referrals.