Lagos: Consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) are taking steps to enhance teamwork and communication among specialists, aiming to improve patient care. They said this on Tuesday during the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), LASUTH.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference had the theme: ‘Multidisciplinary Approach to Patient Care: Context and Content’. A multidisciplinary approach to patient care involves a team of healthcare professionals from different specialties-such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and other medical and para-medical staff members-collaborating to create a comprehensive, tailored treatment plan for a patient.
Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo, Consultant Family Physician, LASUTH, highlighted the need for strengthened collaboration as the coexistence of multiple chronic, long-term health conditions among patients is increasing across the country. Sodipo emphasised that patient-centred clinical care should transition to being interdisciplinary, engaging active communication, shared decision-making, and holistic care, rather than independent, separate actions for patients.
Dr. Sodipo explained that enhanced communication would improve patient care by preventing challenges such as patients using duplicate medications or being on treatments unknown to their primary doctor. This would empower patients, ensuring their healthcare team is aligned in their treatment approach. He stressed that collaboration among healthcare professionals would reduce rivalry and promote better patient outcomes.
Prof. Olufunmilade Omisanjo, Professor of Surgery with the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), echoed the sentiment, stating that strengthening multidisciplinary team-based care would minimise medical errors and improve patient outcomes by prioritising safety and effective treatment strategies. Despite challenges like scheduling conflicts and resource limitations, he advocated for continuing MDT care across specialties.
Dr. Joy Chionuma, Chairman, MDCAN LASUTH, described the multidisciplinary approach as a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery, placing the patient at the core of the process. Chionuma noted that involving different expertise improves patient outcomes through prompt and accurate diagnosis and effective treatment strategies.
Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, affirmed that the hospital, with over 200 consultants in its eight clinical departments, has championed a multidisciplinary approach to ensure holistic and high-quality patient care.
Dr. Toni Adeyemi, Senior Special Assistant on Health to the Lagos State Governor, highlighted Lagos State’s referral system from primary to tertiary care, ensuring that specialists at the teaching hospital work collaboratively to provide multidisciplinary care to patients.