title: Interdisciplinary meetings: investigating the collaboration between persons with brain injury and treatment teams.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the collaboration that occurs in interdisciplinary team meetings (ITMs) at a post-acute brain injury rehabilitation centre. A qualitative descriptive case study was chosen for its interpretative and naturalistic approach. The study included participant observation of 51 meetings, five interviews, document review of charts and memos, and inductive analyses. Four themes emerged: (1) the ITM transformation ritual (the meetings themselves); (2) the ITM shapers (the case managers); (3) the ITM collaborators (the professional interdisciplinary team members); and (4) the ritual ghosts (surprisingly, the clients). Several patterns of interactions were documented, including subservient clients, lengthy meetings, and client transformation. These findings are discussed within the context of client-centred practice. The results indicate that inclusion of the client in interdisciplinary meetings does not necessarily lead to collaboration. Clinical implications and future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Transitional Learning Center, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA. babreu@tlc-galveston.org
authors.forename: Beatriz C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Abreu
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Seale
authors.forename: Loree
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Primeau
authors.forename: Joanne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers