Imagine visiting your GP and knowing you have an entire team dedicated to your wellbeing. This approach ensures comprehensive support, addressing every aspect of your health. Far from being a distant concept, this is a reality occurring in a growing number of general practices in Western Australia.
In a recent interview our CEO, Learne Durrington, had the pleasure of speaking with Associate Director, Strategy and Clinical Innovation, Kate Fulford, and Dr Priya Krishnan from Pramana Medical Centre who have embraced a multidisciplinary team care approach at their practice.
Both shared their insights on the transformative impact of multidisciplinary care, emphasising the importance of collaboration among health professionals to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
“Multidisciplinary care for us, it means coming together as a team to improve patient outcomes and ensuring everyone works at the top of their scope,” said Kate Fulford.
Ms Durrington highlighted the practical benefits of this approach, particularly for patients with complex needs and from marginalised communities.
“For people in these groups, health literacy and navigation is complex, so doing multidisciplinary care within the practice, enables people to access allied health professionals that they may not have otherwise.”
“Our patient population includes many underprivileged individuals with complex medical and psychosocial issues. Working as a sole GP with such a cohort is challenging. Multidisciplinary care allows us to address these needs comprehensively,” Dr Krishnan explained.
The discussion also touched on the efficiency and accessibility that multidisciplinary care brings to practices.
“Having all these different disciplines under one roof increases accessibility and reduces the need for patients to attend multiple locations,” Ms Fulford said.
“It also means we are not duplicating care, and we can save time by sharing observations and background information among the team.”
“Embracing a team approach and recognising that you don’t have to know everything can make the transition smoother and more rewarding.”