Relationship between Team Structure and Interprofessional Working at a Medium Secure Unit for People with Learning Disabilities in the United Kingdom

Abstract

During the past three decades, increasing emphasis has been placed on interprofessional collaboration being best achieved through multidisciplinary teamwork. This study investigated the structure and function of various multidisciplinary teams at a medium secure unit for people with learning disabilities and sought the opinions of 59 professionals about the effectiveness of interprofessional working in the unit and between professional groups. A number of factors that made a significant contribution towards difficulties in interprofessional working were also identified. The effects of team membership (including team size and skill mix), integration, client pathway, decision making and management style on the effectiveness of interprofessional working are discussed.