Multidisciplinary Team Functioning: A Tale of Two Studies

Children's Advocacy Centers (CAC) enhance the response to suspected child abuse cases and assist alleged victims and families by combining the wisdom and professional knowledge of various investigative agencies and other professionals.  A functioning Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) that includes forensic interviewers, law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, and medical and mental health professionals comprises a core component of the CAC Model (National Children's Alliance, 2011).  In some communities, team members may work more frequently with the MDT than coworkers in their own organizations.  Historically, turf issues, egos, and interpersonal conflicts were found to limit supportive relationships among members (Newman, Dannenfelser, & Pendleton, 2005). 

The proposed oral presentation reports the results of two studies concerning MDT functionality. Study 1 investigated how MDT members perceived the effect of collaboration on team functioning.  Study 2 investigated the relationship between MDT stress, satisfaction, and support on forensic interviewers' burnout and job satisfaction. 

Study 1: A constructivist grounded theory involved interviews of 43 multidisciplinary team members. Although study participants described difficulties involving different policies and procedures, the study found collaborative relationships enabled team members to work through differences.  Collaborative relationships supported information sharing throughout the investigative process that affected decision-making and case outcomes.  Team members built collaborative relationships over time through efforts to know and understand the work of other disciplines.  Systemic issues negatively affected the ability of team members to sustain collaborative relationships.

Study 2:A cross-sectional electronic survey design gathered information from 148 forensic interviewers associated with CACs located in the Northeastern United States.  Independent-samples t-test and ANOVA analyses were conducted on quantitative data to test the hypotheses.  The findings indicated that MDT support specifically contributed to job satisfaction among forensic interviewers (p < .005).  MDT support and satisfaction related to lower burnout (p < .05; p < .005); while MDT stress related to higher burnout (p < .01). 

Relationship building among MDT members facilitates collaboration and encourages supportive and satisfactory relationships while reducing stress.  MDTs bring together a range of skills for the benefit of abused children that enhances one’s sense of professionalism and expertise both within the group and community.  Therefore, more functional teams are better equipped to investigate cases of child abuse (Newman, Dannenfelser, & Pendleton, 2005). 

This research contributes to social work by combining the finding of two studies investigating relationships between MDT members in the child welfare field, a field historically led by social workers.  Social workers affiliated with CACs and MDTs are well-positioned to incorporate the recommendations into practice.  The suggested policy and practice implications will enhance MDT relationships and effectiveness. 

References

National Children's Alliance. (2011). Standards for accredited members revised 2011. Retrieved from http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org

Newman, B. S., & Dannenfelser, P. L. (2005). Child protective services and law enforcement: Fostering partnerships in investigations of child abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 14(2), 97-111. doi: 10.1300/J070v14n02_06

Newman, B. S., Dannenfelser, P. L., & Pendleton, D. (2005). Child abuse investigations: Reasons for using a child advocacy center and suggestions for improvement. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 22(2), 165-181.