Interdisciplinary Teamwork in the care of the elderly

Abstract

Whenever there is mention of the Care of the Elderly or Geriatric Medicine, it is impossible to avoid the mention of multi-professional teamwork, more importantly Interdisciplinary Teamwork. As this concept is the heart of caring for the older patients, everyone assumes that interdisciplinary teamwork is practiced throughout all settings providing services for the older patient. It is automatically understood that these various professions are coordinated to provide a seamless, smooth service. It is also assumed that such practices are supported and coordinated through Organisational Management. The Study' s hypothesis was that such assumptions are unfounded. There are varying levels of teamwork, if any, carried out in the local institutional settings. Also Interdisciplinary team practices are not supported by Organisational Management owing to lack of commitment to Teamwork at all clinical management and corporate levels. This is made worse when it is seen that every profession has its own practice paradigm with its individual management policies and hierarchies.