PROBLEMS IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS - THE UNCONSCIOUS AT WORK

This paper explores the relevance of a psychoanalytic understanding of unconscious processes in groups and Wilfred Bion's concept of ''basic assumptions'' to the processes in multidisciplinary teams. Such teams often fail to define their purpose, structure and member roles in a s ufficiently clear way. Consequently they are easily overwhelmed by bas ic assumption mentality which impedes their work. The team and each me mber remain in an unresolved conflict about whether or not to become a team. The paper goes on to summarise some factors crucial to effectiv e team functioning.