What is it.
This practice brief focuses on the use of shared mental models to facilitate multidisciplinary team (MDT) functioning at CYACs. A shared mental model is where individual members of a team all have a common structure and shared understanding of the topic or ways of working.
This practice brief highlights three areas of opportunities to improve and build a clear shared mental model among MDT partners;
- Moving beyond shared beliefs.
- Defining and communicating information sharing parameters.
- Clarifying roles and responsibilities for shared tasks.
This brief provides clear strategies and recommendations to address and enhance shared beliefs, information sharing, and role clarity, which can be used to improve MDT functioning.
How can it help me?
The multidisciplinary nature of a CYAC is one of the key hallmarks of the CYAC model and its success. However, it can also lead to challenges in effective functioning. This is especially important in the CYAC environment, where different team members are coming from various areas and have different professional and organizational mandates. Recent research examined the relationship between shared mental models and MDT functioning in three CYACs across Canada. Results show that there is a consistent shared mental model about why CYACs exist.
Shared mental models can help multidisciplinary members develop a common understanding for both, ways of working and within the CYAC environment. By identifying areas where clear shared beliefs already exist, MDTs can reinforce those practices while also recognizing gaps that need further alignment.