Care planning and case conferencing. Building effective multidisciplinary teams

The new Medicare items that cover care plans and multidisciplinary case conferences for patients with complex and chronic medical conditions have introduced new challenges in primary health care. General practitioners may be required to develop new skills if they are to work effectively with other professionals and carers where health is not their only priority.

This paper reports briefly on findings from a particular research project into the key factors that contribute to effective multidisciplinary teams. Principles from this research that can be applied to GPs being involved in multidisciplinary care plans and case conferences will be examined.

Key factors discussed include the importance of efficiency, flexibility, an holistic view of the patient, communication and personal and professional characteristics that contribute to a successful outcome in multidisciplinary patient care.