Team approaches to treating children with disabilities: a comparison.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate differences in team functioning between the multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary models when treating children with disabilities.


METHODS
A crossover trial.


METHODS
An outpatient educational and rehabilitation program in a rehabilitation institute based at a university medical center.


METHODS
A population-based sample of 19 rehabilitation specialists and educators.


METHODS
Participants attended four team meetings using the multidisciplinary approach and then attended four team meetings using the transdisciplinary approach.


METHODS
Behavioral ratings of team participation (Transdisciplinary Team Rating Scale) and self-report instruments of team development (Team Assessment Questionnaire) and treatment planning and goal development (Staff Perception Questionnaire).


RESULTS
Results of t tests confirmed the hypothesis that there was more team member participation during transdisciplinary meetings than during multidisciplinary meetings (p=.027). There were no differences in levels of team development (p=.329); however, staff members favored the transdisciplinary model for treatment planning and goal development (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of the transdisciplinary model. Further research is now needed to investigate outcome variables such as rate of success in attaining treatment goals when using this model.
Rosen
C
C
Preschool and Infant Development Program, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016, USA.
Miller
A C
AC
Pit-ten Cate
I M
IM
Bicchieri
S
S
Gordon
R M
RM
Daniele
R
R
D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States