A Qualitative Study of the Experience of Multidisciplinary Teamwork in Chronic Critical Illness Patients

To explore the reasons for poor multidisciplinary team (MDT) cooperation of Chronic Critical Illness (CCI) patients and their needs and expectations for carrying out MDT cooperation, with a view to providing references for improving MDT cooperation of CCI patients.

Semi-structured interviews with 15 members of the MDT of CCI patients in a hospital of Henan Province were conducted in September and October of 2024 using a descriptive qualitative design. The data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method developed by Braun and Clarke.

Three themes emerged: Theme 1: The collaborative experience of MDT members, with three sub-themes: essential MDT cooperation, absence of specialized MDT, and the nurse's diminished role; Theme 2: Barriers to MDT cooperation, with three sub-themes: unclear cooperation process and job responsibilities, lack of effective communication, and insufficient observation and feedback; Theme 3: Facilitators to MDT cooperation, divided into three sub-themes: timely and effective communication, a leading role, well-developed MDT tools.

Due to the following deficiencies: unclear cooperation process and job responsibilities, lack of effective communication, and insufficient observation and feedback, it is urgent to take appropriate measures to promote MDT cooperation for CCI patients.