In today’s complex healthcare landscape, the multidisciplinary team (MDT) is a necessity. The NHS, like many healthcare systems, is increasingly relying on MDTs to improve patient outcomes. For pharmacists, this means stepping beyond the dispensing counter and actively engaging in collaborative care.
This blog post provides an overview of MDT working, highlighting its importance, key principles, potential barriers, and the skills needed to succeed within these teams.
Why MDTs matter for pharmacists
An MDT is a team of healthcare professionals from various specialisations, collaborating to achieve a shared patient outcome.
The NHS Long Term Plan and the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan underscore the critical role of MDTs in addressing the growing demands of healthcare. With over 65,000 registered pharmacists in the UK, many are already integral parts of these teams. Given the significant expenditure on medicines within the NHS (£17.2bn), pharmacists’ expertise in medication management is invaluable. They contribute to patient safety, optimise treatment regimens, and enhance overall patient experience, making them invaluable MDT members.
Types of MDTs
Pharmacists engage in a variety of multidisciplinary teams tailored to different healthcare environments. In secondary care, their involvement spans ward-level MDTs, specialist panels, and committees dedicated to critical aspects like electronic prescribing, governance, and patient safety. These contributions often occur within structured groups or committees, such as medicines management or safety groups, and extend to specialised roles like medicines finance and formulary management.
Within primary care MDTs, pharmacists are key contributors. They are now established professionals in GP practices, primary care networks, and community pharmacies, where they apply their skills to optimise medication use for patients with acute and chronic illnesses.
Beyond traditional healthcare settings, pharmacists are also expanding their reach into the digital world. For example, partnerships like the one between LUDA Partners and Just Eat enable pharmacies to offer OTC and pharmacy products for convenient delivery without any technical expertise or financial risks. This demonstrates the evolving role of pharmacists in meeting patient needs through accessible channels, further highlighting their adaptability within a multidisciplinary environment.
Principles for effective MDT working
The core principles of effective multidisciplinary team collaboration are directly aligned with the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) standards for pharmacy professionals.
Teamwork
Teamwork is a vital skill, requiring each member to grasp their own and their colleagues’ roles. Understanding individual strengths and weaknesses enhances team effectiveness. Pharmacists, while experts in medication, are increasingly involved in broader clinical activities, like examination, diagnosis and prescribing. This evolution demands a balanced approach: maximising their contribution to the MDT while remaining within their professional scope. The true value of the MDT lies in collaborative achievement of optimal patient outcomes, and pharmacists should focus on how their expertise advances the team’s shared goals.
Communication
According to the World Health Organisation, communication failures are a major source of patient harm. It is vital for pharmacists to be able to clearly convey complex medication information, adapt communication styles, and utilise verbal and written methods effectively. For instance, a pharmacist might deliver a care plan verbally to a hospital medical team and then reinforce it with written documentation in patient records.
Leadership
Regardless of formal leadership roles within a MDT, pharmacists are inherently leaders in all pharmacy-related matters. Effective MDTs function on principles of collective leadership, where all members share responsibility for team success. While strong leadership requires communication, teamwork, confidence, and assertiveness, navigating the line between assertiveness and perceived rudeness is important. Active listening, respect for colleagues’ viewpoints, and understanding their reasoning are essential. While decisive action is necessary in some situations, particularly when patient safety is at stake, healthcare rarely presents straightforward right or wrong answers.
Honesty and respect
Admitting when we don’t know something, asking for help, and putting patient safety above all else is non-negotiable in MDT working. Finally, fostering a culture of respect, where everyone’s input is valued and conflicts are handled constructively, is what truly elevates patient care.
Challenges
Despite the benefits, MDT working comes with its challenges. With the NHS enduring some of the most severe pressures in its 75-year existence, time and workload constraints are frequently cited as significant barriers to effective MDT functioning.
Capacity constraints demand prioritisation, effective delegation, and a proactive approach to workload management. A proactive approach to workload management can significantly improve efficiency and patient outcomes. For instance, in hospital settings, pharmacists participating in ward rounds allows for immediate identification and resolution of prescribing issues, involving all relevant decision-makers.
Staff shortages are a primary impediment to successful MDT working. Consistent prioritisation and transparent communication with colleagues are important, particularly during periods of fluctuating staff levels. Introducing pharmacists into MDTs often requires navigating a resource paradox. To showcase their impact, a trial period can be negotiated, enabling teams to witness the positive outcomes and justify permanent integration.
Resistance to change is a significant barrier to effective MDT working, especially in established healthcare cultures. Pharmacists must address skepticism by demonstrating their value, focusing on improving team efficiency and patient care. Respectful communication and gradual implementation of new approaches are crucial for successful integration.
Conclusion
MDTs are vital for safe and effective healthcare. To unlock their full potential, pharmacists must focus on teamwork, communication, honesty, leadership, and respect. Pharmacy professionals should actively participate in MDTs to optimise patient care, develop their skills, and advance the profession.