Teamwork in Swedish neuropaediatric habilitation

Team collaboration in Swedish paediatric habilitation was analysed by means of a nation-wide sample of 202 professionals, representing all seven profe ssions normally working in these teams. Provision of paediatric habilitatio n services as a part of the county secondary level health care is required by law, and has gradually been built up from the 1950s. The study focused o n professional cooperation and interaction during different types of formal team meetings. The basic obstacles for the meetings were lack of time, poo r meeting technique, and too large a group. The professionals appeared to i nteract on a fairly equal basis, able to challenge other's views and gainin g a hearing for their own views, with the physiotherapists and the paediatr icians perceived as being the most dominant team members, The perceived sig nificance of the contribution from the different team members' dominance va ried according to the age of the child and to changing needs. The prerequis ites for interdisciplinary team working exist as far as meeting structure a nd a 'democratic' pattern of communication during meetings.