A multidisciplinary team (MDT) should consist of psychiatrists, clinical nurse specialists/community mental health nurses, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, medical secretaries, and sometimes other disciplines such as counsellors, drama therapists, art therapists, advocacy workers, care workers and possibly others not listed. See below table for further descriptions.
The different professions all have different areas of expertise, so that they can combine their skill sets if necessary to tackle complex and challenging mental health conditions. The MDT meets regularly to discuss their work so that each patient has a care plan best suited to their individual needs. Some details on the most common MDT members are set out below.
Some Roles and Duties Performed by Multidisciplinary Team Members
Multidisciplinary Team Member | Roles and Duties Involved |
---|---|
Psychiatrist | Perform assessments, provide talking therapies, prescribe medication, investigate for physical illnesses |
Psychologist | Provide specialised talking therapies, perform in-depth assessments of aspects of brain functioning and behaviour |
Psychiatric Nurse | Assess difficulties, provide talking therapies, administer and monitor medication |
Occupational Therapist | Provide skills assessments, formulate rehabilitation plan which is delivered both individually and in groups |
Social Worker | Provide support for families, provide talking therapies, advise in relation to housing, finance and supports |