Multidisciplinary rehabilitation : Myth or a reality.

These days the emphasis is on Multidisciplinary/ Transdisciplinary/ Interprofessional team working in healthcare. As rehabilitation is a complex process hence more is the emphasis. In wards the OTs work with doctors/physios/ Social Worker/ Speech and Language Therapist/Healthcare assistants/ Nurses/Prosthetist & Orthotists etc..

Jackson & Davies (1995) discussed Trans-disciplinary working yet expressed uncertainty of the extent of its use. Kevin R & Feaver S (2006) reports in healthcare there is an increasing emphasis on interprofessional working- this has become a priority and is now extending to the development of interprofessional education for healthcare professionals at every level, both pre and post qualification.

The point though that I fail to understand is:
When formulating the undergraduate curriculum, does this kind of multidisciplinary teamwork happen at any level?

I shall give couple of examples:
Do we have doctors/ physios/ Nurses/P&O/ Social Worker/Speech and Language Therapists etc involved when formulating an undergraduate Occupational Therapy curriculum? Why is that it is only the College of Occupational Therapy that sets up all the standards and beanchmark of any Occupational Therapy curriculum. Do College of OT get all these group of professionals involved in the consultation process at any level?
Do we have OTs/ doctors/P&O/ Nurses/ Social Worker/ Speech and Language Therapists etc included at any level when finalising a Physiotherapy undergraduate curriculum? Why is that it is only the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists that sets up the standards and benchmark of Physiotherapy curriculum, I meant only Physiotherapists set up a physiotherapy curriculum?
Do we cater for each others expectations when developing our curriculum?
In the end we all are expected to work as a Multidisciplinary team. Do people think setting up our undergraduate curriculum using multidisciplinary approach will have a positive impact in the way we practice? Do professionals think that may raise the profile of our profession.
“Interprofessional Education occurs when two or more professions learn with, from and about each other to improve collaboration and the quality of care” (CAIPE 2002).
A Swedish concept well integrated: (Second of its type in UK)
Heard of Interprofessional Wards. Here it is http://www.wandsworth-pct.nhs.uk/about/teachingPCT/projects.asp and than go to “Inter-professional training ward project”. OT students work here with Physios, Nursing and Medical students.

• Placement provided for: 3 weeks only.
• Students provided placements: Mainly 3rd year students.
• Nature of work: 7days/ week and 24 hour cover. Transdisciplinary working.
• Supervision at work: Could be provided by Nurse/ Doctor etc. As OT/ Physio supervisors are not available in evenings, at nights and over weekends.
• Special consent is taken from patients to be in this ward.
• The project is in its third year now.

It is the beginning and not the end of the concept of Interprofessional working. I am sure the curriculum's will be looked in a similar way one day.

References:
- Jackson H, Davies M 1995 A transdisciplinary approach to brain injury rehabilitation. British Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation.
- Kevin R, Sally F 2006 Models- terminology and usefulness. Rehabilitation the use of theories and models in practice, Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2006, Pg 49-62.

Subhajit Sengupta.