multidisciplinary team

Maintaining and enhancing patients’ quality of life (QoL) are considered the most significant objectives in healthcare systems. These objectives are directly associated with the intervention of healthcare providers across the globe. This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of toddlers who have undergone interventions for oral clefts and compare it with a healthy control group. 

Materials & Methods:

 The present study is cross-sectional. Thirty-six toddlers aged 18 to 36 months with oral clefts undergoing team care were recruited from a pediatric hospital and matched with healthy peers based on inclusion criteria. Demographic characteristics were collected before the TNO-AZL preschool children’s quality of life (TAPQoL) questionnaire was completed.

The QoL was compared to an overall score and the average score of items and domains on the TAPQoL questionnaire between the groups. The results showed a significant difference between the two groups in social functioning (t=2.96, p = 0.004), cognitive functioning (t=2.21, p = 0.03), emotional functioning (t=3.99, p<0.01), and the total score (p<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in physical functioning (t= 0.78, p=0.43), and toddlers with oral clefts had more reasonable scores.

The QoL of toddlers with oral clefts who received care from a multidisciplinary team was slightly better than that of the healthy group. Therefore, participating in these teams could lead these children to a similar QoL as their peers. Medical systems can provide easy accessibility to cleft care teams for patients and their families.

Liver cancer and cirrhosis are significant public health challenges with a high global burden. Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) care has gained recognition as a promising approach to improve the management and outcomes of patients with liver cancer and cirrhosis. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MDT care in improving the clinical outcomes, including survival rates, quality of life, and disease progression, in patients with liver cancer and cirrhosis.

The search was performed using the keywords of liver cancer and MDT and their combinations in international databases with a time limit for publishing articles from 2010 and 2023. The data were evaluated using a technique of meta-analysis as well as a model called random effects. The I2 test was used to examine the degree of heterogeneity between the studies. STATA was used to analyze the data.

The analysis of 13 different papers with a total sample size of 8641 individuals revealed that the average scores of the MDT and liver cancer were identical to (0.64), with a confidence interval ranging from (95% 48.5-81.7).

MDT is effective in the length of treatment and reduction of risk and mortality rates. The negative prognostic factors of not following the MDT decision were not observed.

Trauma is one of the major non-communicable diseases of this century and one of the main problems threatening public health. Trauma injuries are the leading cause of disability and mortality in all countries. This study aimed to explore and understand the challenges of early rehabilitation care in multiple trauma patients from the experience of a multidisciplinary care team using a qualitative research method.  This study was conducted with the qualitative research approach using qualitative content analysis. Participants were seven nurses, two doctors, three physiotherapies, and two occupational therapists in inpatient wards and outpatient trauma were interviewed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sampling continued until data saturation. Analysis of data collected concurrently with data for comparison was done. First, for depth descriptions of the participant statements, 800 codes were extracted and finally, for the analysis, and constant comparison, two main themes of the lack of holistic care and support structure were extracted. The results showed that comprehensive and rehabilitation-based care was essential to achieve important care goals in this group of patients. Understanding the challenges of early rehabilitation care in multiple trauma patients will help health policymakers that solve these problems and help improve the health of this group.

The aging population, the rising incidence and prevalence of cancer and other chronic diseases are shifting the focus of medicine from the model of `cure' to one of controlling symptoms, maximizing patient's level of functioning and quality of life, as well as helping patients and families cope with a long-term illness. There is a general assumption that palliative care is best provided by different approaches, and team working styles. Every staff member has to have knowledge about what the organization as a whole can offer, as well as individual competence in his/her own field. Working in teams has become one of the solutions to the failures in the chain of care, cooperation, and the holistic view of the patient. The aim of this thesis was to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge about palliative care teams and the competences and factors that influence the success and functionality of the team.
Thorough search of the English literature was conducted using search engines such as science direct, Scopus, google and PubMed, with words that include: “multidisciplinary team”, interdisciplinary team, team work, cancer.
Introduction of care with multy disciplines was associated with improved survival, care coordination, clear decision-making, patients’ satisfaction and cost efficacy as a great benefit for the patient. Learning and teaching, innovation and problem solving are major benefits of team working for palliative care members. Such barriers include insufficient facilities, time constraint and poor interprofessional relationships.
This study gives a general introduction into palliative care teams and the factors that influence them and their work.