Multidisciplinary teams in geriatric wards: myth or reality?

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Geriatric Care
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Multidisciplinary teamwork is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, particularly in geriatric care.
• The concept of teamwork is often idealized but lacks clear definition and demonstrable patient benefits.
• Existing research highlights a gap between the rhetoric and reality of collaborative practice.

Observation:

• Teamwork in practice can appear collaborative, involving patients and families as team members.
• However, coordination frequently relies on standardized routines and hierarchical structures, not equal partnership.
• This dynamic can marginalize certain professionals, like nurses, who assume responsibility without authority.

Findings:

• The idealized notion of multidisciplinary teamwork can mask underlying hierarchical structures and routine-based coordination.
• For long-stay geriatric patients, this can lead to nurses bearing responsibility without formal authority.
• This situation results in negative outcomes for both patients and nursing staff.

Implications:

• A critical analysis of multidisciplinary teamwork in theory and practice is essential.
• Understanding the conditions under which teamwork truly flourishes is vital for improving geriatric patient care.
• Addressing the gap between teamwork ideals and reality is necessary to ensure positive care outcomes.