Like the saying “two heads are better than one,” a multidisciplinary team brings together several professionals from different areas of study. Their collective knowledge improves patient outcomes. For example, a nurse and a physical therapist have professional medical training in different disciplines. When they work together, they combine their distinct perspectives and expertise.

Combining different approaches during rehabilitation can lead to better results. Various disciplines promote each other. Additionally, every patient has different preferences and may prefer one discipline over the other.

Research has shown that stroke survivors who received care from a multidisciplinary team were more likely to live independently at home one year after the event.

Team members on a multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation team might include physicians; occupational, physical or speech therapists; nurses and behavioral health therapists.

• Physicians: Doctors on the team may specialize in physical medicine, rehabilitation, neurology or neurosurgery. Their extra training and experience contribute to treating a patient’s specific condition. In addition, physicians can manage care and recovery, recommend the course of treatment and prescribe medications.
• Physical, occupational and speech therapists: These therapists use physical and mental activities to help patients overcome their limitations and promote independence. While these different therapies often work together, they have their own areas of focus. For example, physical therapy focuses on reducing pain, building strength and increasing range of motion and functional mobility. Occupational therapy helps patients perform the activities of daily living, such as getting dressed or taking a shower. Speech language pathologists work to improve a patient’s ability to speak, eat and swallow. Speech therapy can especially help those affected by Aphasia.
• Nurses: Nurses regularly work with patients in many ways throughout rehabilitation. They play a major role in educating patients about their neurorehabilitation and health. Depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, a nurse may make regular visits to their home or provide 24/7 care. Some nurses act as care managers who help patients with ongoing care for a chronic condition.
• Behavioral health therapists: A neurological condition or injury can abruptly change a patient’s life. A behavioral health therapist can help patients cope with and work through those changes and help manage psychological problems that can arise after a brain injury. These professionals may be counselors, psychologists or psychiatrists.

In addition to the patient’s role of participating in rehabilitation, family and friends have an especially important role on the team. They can provide emotional support by offering encouragement, giving a welcome diversion or simply being present and listening. Loved ones may also go with patients to their appointments and therapy.

As the patient works toward greater independence through rehabilitation, family and friends can support them through the transition and assist with daily activities at home.

By working with a team of multidisciplinary specialists and a support network of family and friends, patients can improve their function through neurorehabilitation.

Sources:

Rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis: an overview of Cochrane reviews (2019)

Psychological and emotional needs, assessment and support post-stroke: a multi-perspective qualitative study (2016)

Improving post-stroke recovery: The benefits of a multidisciplinary health care team (2015)

Benefits of occupational therapy in stroke rehabilitation (2014)