The Multidisciplinary Team

By: Nikki Nies 

While each health profession would like to think they are the most important aspect of a multi disciplinary team. It’s not the case. The human body wasn’t made to be evaluated in parts, but as a whole system. As a whole system, when patients are sick it’s important to evaluate them as a whole. Monitoring the entire body takes many experts and nutrition is heavily impacted by other health professionals outcomes and/or indirectly impacts other body systems. During one of internship’s seminars we got to meet other health professionals within the health care field who we might interact and rely on one day.  We were presented with a case, asking us how we as health professionals would play role in the treatment and also what other health professionals we may be able to help or who we would rely on for our treatment.

It was great to hear each representative of the multi disciplinary team share their opinion.  Check out the table explaining some of the health care professionals you may encounter in various health care facilities.

Profession	Main Tasks	Miscellaneous, etc.
Audiology	engaged in autonomous practice to promote healthy  hearing, communication, competency and quality of life through prevention, identification, assessment and rehab of hearing, auditory function, balance, etc.	Military, clinic/hospital, university, community hearing centers, state agencies, home health care, industry, long and short-term facilities
Dietetics	Food and nutrition experts, translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living; develop personalized nutrition plans for individuals	Hospitals; HMOs; food and nutrition related business and industries (marketing, PR, culinary schools,product development), private practice, community and public health settings, universities and medical centers, research areas, Sports nutrition, corporate wellness programs
Medical Lab Services	aka medical lab scientists; collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue and other substances; perform complex lab test; operate microscopes and cell counters; log data from medical tests and enter results into patient’s medical record; discuss findings of lab tests and procedures with physicians; study blood samples for use in transfusions by identifying # of cells	Small and large laboratories; technologists often specialize–i.e. microbiology technicians, molecular biology technologists; immunology technologists; cytotechnologists; clinical chemistry technologists; blood bank technologists/immunohematology technologists
Physical Therapy	examine, assess, test, classify and determine rehab prognosis; plan for therapeutic interventions for mechanical, physiological and/or developmental impairments, functional limitations, disabilities and/or movement related condition	Does not include: radiology; electrosurgery; chiropractic technique; determination of a differential diagnosis
Rehab Counseling	Assist persons with physical, mental, developmental, cognitive and emotional disabilities to achieve personal, independent, career and living goals; counseling process includes communication, goal setting and beneficial growth or change through self advocacy, psychological, vocational, social and behavioral interventions	Specific techniques used: assessment and appraisal; diagnosis and treatment planning; career (vocational) counseling; provision of consultation about and access to rehab technology; job analysis; job development; placement services–including assistance with employment; program evaluation and research; case management, referral and service coordination; consultation services among multiple parties and regulatory systems, etc.
Speech Language Pathology	services provided based on applying the best available research evidence; provide education and training to individuals and families	Research, screen, assess and treat: speech sound production; aural habilitation/aural rehab; resonance; voice; fluency–stuttering; receptive and expressive language; cognition; feeding and swallowing; communication modalities

The session was very eye opening because as I dietetic intern sometimes I gasp hearing people don’t know the 3 main macronutrient groups.  We had to take a pre test to gauge how well I knew other professions job.  I didn’t do too well on it, having a hard time differentiating what a speech language pathologist and audiologist would do. This session humbled me and reminded me that dietitians are part of a team.

Sources: http://cje.net/skilled-nursing/lieberman-center-health-rehabilitation/patient-centered-wound-care-team-approachs