Interdisciplinary Teamwork.

Interdisciplinary Teamwork: Educational tools can improve understanding

of members’ roles between interdisciplinary team members.

Sarah Joyner, BS Dietetics

Introduction

�  Interdisciplinary (ITD) teams have been shown to shorten length of stays within the hospital setting, which in turn can increase recovery time and success of recovery. 1

�  Approximately one third of patients may become malnourished during the hospital stay for a variety of reasons. 2

�  The prevention of malnutrition is made most efficient when not only a dietitian is looking for the signs and symptoms of malnutrition but the nursing team, physicians and other caretakers within the hospital are looking as well.

Introduction (cont)

�  Educational interventions have the potential to provide the tools needed for professionals to increase patient involvement as well as the confidence in the decisions practitioners make.3

�  Continuing professional development (CPD) for teams is a requirement in many healthcare settings.

�  CPD can help to foster the development of teamwork among not just one discipline but within many disciplines for the improvement of care.

Introduction (cont)

�  A model provided in a study conducted in three ICU centers with 98 caregivers of many disciplines, revealed positive results when using multidisciplinary training in conjunction with a pre and posttest 4

�  Providing an interdisciplinary education allowed for a positive increase in knowledge and confidence when taking the posttest following the education session

Methods

�  Evaluation Method �  Implementation (pre-test) �  Intervention (powerpoint)

�  Evaluation (post-test)

�  Steps for study �  Initial survey �  Educational Powerpoint

�  Follow-Up survey

Results

�  Initial Survey: 16 Respondents

�  Follow-Up Survey: 10 respondents �  Follow-Up survey asked if participants had completed both

initial survey and educational PowerPoint �  6 respondents

Results (cont)

Initial

�  5 of 6 respondents believed they understood the role of the RD in the interdisciplinary team (improvement)

�  4 respondents believe the RD is important or extremely important when a patient is on enteral or parenteral nutrition (No change)

Follow-Up

�  6 of 6 respondents indicating they understood the role of the RD in the interdisciplinary team (improvement)

�  4 respondents believe the RD is important or extremely important when a patient is on enteral or parenteral nutrition (No change)

Results (cont)

Results (cont) Initial Survey

Follow-Up Survey

Discussion

�  The findings supported the proposed outcome �  educational intervention can improve opinions of the role

of the Registered Dietitian within the interdisciplinary care team.

�  The follow-up survey showed that the education improved knowledge �  contact the Registered Dietitian assigned to the ICU �  number of respondents that feel they understand the role

of the Registered Dietitian within the ITD team

Conclusion

�  Further Research �  Include more units �  Include other ITD team members (physicians, residents,

SLP) �  Study behavior before and after an educational

intervention, not just opinions.

References

1. Yoo J W, Kim S, Seol H, et al. Effects of an internal medicine floor interdisciplinary team on hospital and clinical outcomes of seniors with acute medical illness. Geriatrics and Gerontology International. 2013; 13: 942-948. DOI: 10.1111/ggi.12035.

2. Tappenden K, Quatrara B, Parkhurst M, Malone A, Ganjiang G, Ziegler T. Critical Role of Nutrition in Improving Quality of Care: An Interdisciplinary Call to Action to Address Adult Hospital Malnutrition. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2013; 37: 482. DOI: 10.1177/0148607113484066.

3. Lown, B A, Kryworuchko J, Bieber C, et al. Continuing professional development for interprofessional teams supporting patients in healthcare decision making. Journal of Interprofessional Care. 2011;25(6): 401-408. DOI: 10.3109/13561820.2011.584563.

4. Shaw D, Davidson J, Smilde R, Sondoozi T, Agan D. Multidisciplinary Team Training to Enhance Family Communication in the ICU. Critical Care Medicine. 2014; 42(1). DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3182a26ea5

Questions?