Learning to communicate in multi-disciplinary teams

I am privileged to be presenting at the Association of Clinical Research Professionals Global Conference later this week. I will be presenting a poster and a brief presentation about a topic that combines my interest, experience and expertise in the fields of communication research and clinical research: communication in multi-disciplinary research teams.

Multi-disciplinary research teams offer many advantages, the most compelling of which is having a broad range of perspectives to bring new and innovative ideas to the research table. But each of us educated in a specific discipline are taught to approach questions and problems in a certain way. When required to work with people who are educated another way, potential conflicts arise. Understanding the potential pitfalls to working with multi-disciplinary teams is the first step to maximizing the benefits of these teams. Team leaders need to work to create a supportive environment, where all members feel safe to share new and innovative ideas that may be unfamiliar to the rest of the group. Ongoing conversations about roles in the team, as well as making a conscious effort to learn from your teammates, will head off some of the potential misunderstandings.

The benefits of multi-disciplinary teams far outweigh the potential pitfalls, but being prepared for the pitfalls makes success all the more likely.

The problems patients have with reporting symptoms

The New York Times reported on a New England Journal of Medicine article about how patient-reported data about drug side effects can be a tremendous source of information. But physicians and patients often have trouble discussing potential side effects because of limited time in consultations and limited understanding of what side effects and their causes may be.

So we have a great potential source of data about emerging drugs. But we have a communication gap in getting that information from patients to doctors to researchers. Many hope that opening new lines of communication for patients to report symptoms they are unsure about to others may help facilitate the reporting process. Information coming directly from patients will increase understanding of new and emerging drugs and technologies. And giving patients another means of expressing their concerns helps the patients be heard as they pursue their own health care.

Picturing life after cancer

The New York Times is working on a compelling project to collect stories and pictures of cancer patients. Cancer survivors are encouraged to "picture life after cancer" by submitting photos and thoughts about what life means after cancer. You can see the first of the submissions here.

The power of the face in communication

The New York Times had a very interesting article today about research on the importance of the face in conveying non-verbal messages and how even those without control of their facial expressions can read facial messages. While those who are not able to control their face cannot mimic facial expression, they can adapt and still learn to read and respond to non-verbal cues. Further research will explore how these adaptations can be used with other groups who struggle with non-verbal cues.

When a physician becomes the patient

I want to direct readers to the latest article in the New York Times "Months to Live" series. The article features Dr. Desiree Pardi, a palliative care doctor, who when faced with the end of her own life, decided to defy the usual advice she gives patients and fight the cancer until the end. The article explores the complexities of physicians' advice and how things change when the physician becomes a patient. I definitely recommend reading and contemplating.