title: Multidisciplinary team interaction: summary and Action Plan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multidisciplinary team interaction has become a commonplace phrase in the discussion of disaster response. Theme 6 explored multidisciplinary team interactions and attempted to identify some of the key issues and possible solutions to the seemingly intractable problems inherent in this endeavour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Details of the methods used are provided in the introductory paper. The Cochairs moderated all presentations and produced a summary that was presented to an assembly of all of the delegates. The Cochairs then presided over a workshop that resulted in the generation of a set of Action Plans that then were reported to the collective group of all delegates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Main points developed during the presentations and discussion included: (1) promotion of multidisciplinary collaboration, (2) standardization, (3) the Incident Command System, (4) professionalism, (5) regional disparities, and (6) psychosocial impact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Action plans recommended: (1) a standardized template for Needs Assessment be developed, implemented, and applied using collaboration with international organizations, focusing on needs and criteria appropriate to each type of event, and (2) team needs assessments be recognized for local responses and for determination of when international assistance may be required, for planning a command system, and for evaluating the psychosocial impact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a clear need for the development of standardized methods for the assessment of needs, development and implementation of a command structure, and for appreciation of regional differences and the psychosocial impact of all interventions.
authors.affiliation: Medical Services, Mexican Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brink
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bugslag
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: González Del Castillo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hastings
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Kipor
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poles
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Ronquillo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Staña
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sydor
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thani
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007587:Job Description; D007857:Leadership; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011361:Professional Competence; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods