Role of a Physiotherapist in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)�for Older Adults

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Addressing Multifaceted Healthcare Needs through Collaboration

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Identify the multifaceted healthcare needs of older adults
• Describe the structure and function of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in geriatric care
• Describe the role of the physiotherapist as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) member

Aging and Healthcare

• Today, with life expectancy continuing to rise globally, there is an increasing number of frail older adults.
• MDT plays a role in promoting healthy ageing.
• Often experience,

- Polypharmacy & risk of adverse events (falls)

- Chronic illnesses (diabetes, arthritis, etc.)

- Functional decline, mobility issues

- Psychosocial concerns: isolation, depression

What is a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)?

• A group of health care professionals from diverse fields working collaboratively
• Comprehensive, person-centered care
• In hospital, community and home settings
• Key members:

- Geriatrician

- Nurse

- Physiotherapist

- Occupational therapist

- Speech therapist

- Social worker etc.

Collaboration with MDT Members

• Geriatrician: Joint care planning and assessment
• Nurse: Daily monitoring and mobility support
• Physiotherapist: Enhance mobility, strength, balance, and functional independence to improve QOL and reduce fall risk, prevention and health promotion
• Occupational Therapist: Functional rehab and ADLs
• Speech Therapist: Support communication and safe swallowing
• Social Worker: Community integration and discharge planning

Coordinating Rehabilitation across Settings

• Establishing specific goals (SMART) is crucial for maintaining a person-centered approach and coordinating treatments

Coordinating Rehabilitation across Settings…

Working together with other team members whether in a hospital or community setting, enables peer learning and ensures working toward the same goals for the benefit of the individual

Physiotherapist’s Role in Geriatric MDTs

• Comprehensive geriatric assessment
• Identifying and modifying fall risk factors for fall prevention
• Post-acute rehab
• Exercise & pain management
• Caregiver training & education

Physiotherapy Interventions for Older Adults

• Balance re-education (e.g., Otago)
• Resistance training
• Tai-chi
• Backward chaining
• Multi-Component Falls Prevention Programmes
• Functional retraining (ADLs)

MDT Collaboration – Why it Matters

• Coordinated care plans
• Shared decision-making
• Better communication & outcomes
• Reduced readmissions

Challenges in Multidisciplinary Team Work

• Role overlap or ambiguity
• Communication gaps
• Time/resource constraints
• Need for interprofessional education & team-building

Strategies for Effective MDT Participation

• Regular case conferences
• Shared documentation tools
• Active listening and mutual respect
• Clear role definitions and professional boundaries

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Summary

• Physiotherapists play a central role in geriatric MDTs in addressing mobility, function, and quality of life in older adults.
• Effective collaboration improves health and independence.
• Integrated rehab across settings ensures continuity of care.

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References

• Choi, Jung-Yeon et al. “Comprehensive geriatric assessment and multidisciplinary team interventions for hospitalized older adults: A scoping review.” Archives of gerontology and geriatrics vol. 104 (2023): 104831. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2022.104831
• World Health Organization; 2017. Integrated care for older people: guidelines on community-level interventions to manage declines in intrinsic capacity. Geneva:. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

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Thank you!�