Multidisciplinary collaboration - what does that actually mean?
This blog explains what multidisciplinary collaboration means and how we do this at Podotherapy Laufgsund.
If you look at our website or on our social media, you will often read something about "Multidisciplinary collaboration", but what exactly does this actually mean? Even at the beginning of our podiatry studies, it is often explained that pain or discomfort does not always originate where we feel it. For example, back pain does not always come from a problem in the back, but can also arise, for example, from an incorrect load when walking or many other causes.
In order to be able to determine as best as possible where the complaints are coming from, we learned various examination techniques during our studies. With the help of these techniques, it is very often possible for us to find the actual cause of the complaints and to be able to treat them in a targeted manner.
But even our abilities sometimes reach their limits. Nevertheless, it is of course our goal to be able to help our patients in the best possible way and we don't like to send patients home without a diagnosis. This would be frustrating not only for the patient but also for us. Because our goal is to be able to offer everyone the best possible therapy and treatment.
And that's exactly when other contacts come into play.
Other contacts
In order to be able to think outside the box, it is important to talk to other colleagues. Not just to colleagues from your own professional area, but also from “multi” (Latin for many) other areas.
Now you might wonder: but what other areas are these?
There are many different areas you can think of. First of all, a physiotherapist can help. It is precisely for this reason that we work closely with the physiotherapists from ZüriBalance. So, we do not only share the premises in Dübendorf and Wiedikon, but we also regularly exchange ideas if we are not a 100% sure at one point. For the same reason, we can also regularly be found at Med & Motion, to be able to help you further, together.
But this exchange is not just one-sided. The physiotherapists are also happy to refer their patients to us if, for example, a gait analysis is necessary or if it is stated that insoles would be an ideal aid. This exchange is not only very helpful for us - it is also pleasant for the patients to receive further support and advice directly and to be treated without long waiting times or repeated explanations of their problems.
But we don't just work with physiotherapists. Because in some cases it is also necessary for a doctor to take a closer look at the patient. In order to avoid a patient having to repeatedly explain the symptoms and possibly having to carry out the same examinations again and again, we are in constant contact with doctors. These are, for example, general practitioners, but also doctors from various specializations such as neurology or orthopedics.
Of course, doctors are not always directly available for us either, but there is an exchange of therapy and doctor reports. And this exchange also takes place on both sides. Patients regularly come to us with clear help questions from a doctor and we can provide targeted help or answer open questions.
It is important for us to be able to offer the patient holistic treatment and therapy. Since this does not always work out by itself, we attach great importance to multidisciplinary cooperation and are working on expanding our network more and more. Because it is only human not to know what to do and then it is important to ask colleagues for advice. Because we find it just as important to always be at the side of our colleagues with questions! Because ultimately we not only help our patients in this way, but also learn from each other and can grow beyond ourselves and continue to improve our services.
This blog is written in collaboration between Med&Motion and Podotherapie Laufgsund. More information is available at our websites.
