Multidisciplinary practices in pediatrics clinics: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research

Multidisciplinary practices play a crucial role in pediatric care settings. However, existing research is fragmented and often limited to specific clinical contexts, underscoring the need for a comprehensive synthesis of qualitative evidence across diverse pediatric settings.

This study aims to systematically explore multidisciplinary practices in pediatric healthcare by synthesizing qualitative evidence.

We conducted a qualitative meta-synthesis of research published between 2000 and 2025. Our search encompassed three major electronic databases, namely Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. The primary keywords used were multidisciplinary team, pediatric clinics, and qualitative study. Initially, 306 records were identified, and after removing duplicates, 305 records remained. Subsequently, 177 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. A total of 13 studies were included in the final meta-synthesis. Quality appraisal was performed, and no studies were excluded. Data were synthesized using thematic qualitative analysis.

The results revealed a main theme: Navigating the complexities of multidisciplinary practices in pediatric care, encompassing three subthemes: the promise of multidisciplinary practices, the pitfalls of multidisciplinary practices, and drivers of success in multidisciplinary practices.

This study highlights the transformative potential of multidisciplinary practices in pediatric care, including empowering families, fostering professional growth, and improving system effectiveness. However, these benefits are often hindered by resource constraints, communication gaps, and role ambiguity. Strong leadership, structural support, and a shared vision are key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring high-quality, coordinated pediatric care.