Basic requirements for initiating an interdisciplinary process.

The basic requirements for starting an interdisciplinary process are common value commitments, interpersonal communication skills, similarity between disciplines, and low level of perceived threat. We have drawn on our own experience in discussing the relationships between these requirements and suggest effective strategies for developing an interdisciplinary process. We conclude that the interdisciplinary process facilitates service and communication among all participants and that research is needed to determine optimum combinations of disciplines and group size.