Use of a pro forma and overhead projector to improve multidisciplinary team communication.

Good communication among the members of the multidisciplinary team is essential in the provision of specialist palliative care. It allows the patient's and family's care to be coordinated and all team members to be involved in planning care. In multidisciplinary team meetings at the Wisdom Hospice in the UK, a pro forma has been used with an overhead projector to show details of the patient, their family, history and problems. An audit of team members' views found the pro forma to be effective and useful in encouraging interdisciplinary workings.