Education in Multiprofessional Teamwork for Preclinical Medical Students Through Case-Oriented Problem-Solving

Abstract

Teamwork is increasingly important for high-quality patient care, and education in multiprofessional or interdisciplinary teamwork has recently been proposed as an essential subject in the core curriculum of Japanese medical schools. We developed a course in teamwork in which medical students devised diagnostic, therapeutic, and support programs from a written patient scenario with the help of a multiprofessional staff, including subspecialty physicians and surgeons, nurses, a counselor, a social worker, and a dietician. The course promoted understanding of mutual roles and the ideal relationship between physicians and comedical staff. Active discussion is necessary for understanding interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teamwork.