Managing Professionals in Multidisciplinary Teams: A Case Study from Psychiatry

Addresses what “management” means in a multidisciplinary professional team. Looks at one particular profession – psychiatry – in which multidisciplinary teams are common and often problematic. Considers some of the issues that arise in the management of such teams, and particularly the tendency for competing professionals to wish to colonize each others′ area of operation. Proposes that the key to managing such teams is to have a clear role of problem definition within the team; someone needs to ensure that the most suitable care is provided for each patient, even if that care is outside their own competence. This activity is similar to that of senior management in other sectors, where problem definition tends to be associated with senior management. The management of professionals in multidisciplinary teams requires someone to be given a role as “wise generalist”.