Working with certain mental health concerns requires a multi-disciplinary team approach such as with eating disorders. There are obstacles to overcome when working to coordinate care and work as a team, particularly when in private practice. I have worked in a setting where I created the eating disorder treatment team and lead weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care which was an ideal way to address this need. I am fortunate in private practice to have two dietitians on staff where we can share notes and communicate about client care regularly. Otherwise, it is important to obtain releases of information for dietitians, primary care physicians, psychiatrists and other medical professionals as eating disorder recovery requires a team approach and often involves many specialists. At Best Within You Therapy & Wellness, we work to establish connections in the community so that other busy professionals are often more responsive to requests to coordinate care. Taking time to obtain releases of information and set up times to coordinate with providers, along with in house specialists, has helped overcome some of the obstacles when working from an interdisciplinary team approach.
As the founder of Teja, a mental journaling and mood tracking application, I've encountered significant challenges in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among our team of clinical psychologists and psychotherapists. One of the most pressing issues we've faced is the constant struggle with time constraints. Coordinating schedules for collaborative meetings and integrated care has often felt like solving a complex puzzle, with each professional juggling their own caseloads and commitments. Another hurdle we've had to overcome is the clash of differing treatment approaches. Our team members come from various backgrounds, each bringing their own philosophies and methodologies to the table. While this diversity is ultimately a strength, it initially created friction and misunderstandings in our collaborative efforts. To address these challenges, we've implemented asynchronous communication tools within our application, dividing discussions into specific topics and threads. This approach allows our mental health professionals to engage in meaningful collaboration without the need for real-time meetings. We've seen a marked improvement in the quality of our interdisciplinary work, as team members can now thoughtfully contribute their expertise at their own pace. This solution has not only alleviated scheduling conflicts but also enriched our collaborative process, leading to more comprehensive and innovative care strategies for our users.