Transdisciplinary teamwork: the experience of clinicians at a functional restoration program.

INTRODUCTION: This research explored the experience of clinicians during the transition from working as an interdisciplinary team to providing a transdisciplinary model of care in a functional restoration program (FRP) for clients with chronic disabling musculoskeletal pain.
METHODS: This qualitative study used a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis. In depth interviews were conducted to gather data and analysis was performed by the coding of emergent themes.
RESULTS: Three major themes were identified that contributed towards building a successful transdisciplinary team: the client population; opportunities for communication with colleagues; and an organizational structure that supports transdisciplinary teamwork.
CONCLUSIONS: Transdisciplinary teams with multiple health care providers are suitable for treating patients with complex needs and with injuries that are chronic in nature. However, transdisciplinary teamwork requires input from an organizational level and from a communication level to effectively contribute to both clinician satisfaction and to improved coordination in patient care.