Applying Family Systems Theory to the Inter-/Trans- Disciplinary Perspective

It's happened to each of us as healthcare providers... we need to work with a patient, and we have a clear vision of how to do so, but we have to work with someone of a different profession--and that person/profession is an annoying mystery to you. You muddle your way through it because... well, what else can you do, but you do your best to avoid that other professional.

Unfortunately, this common approach hurts our patients. Each healthcare profession grew out of a need. Even if we don't understand the training or focus of another profession does not mean that they are wrong or useless, it means that you simply haven't learned enough about them yet. There are professional standards of education, theories, and focuses that make each one of our vital fields. In order for the patient to get adequate care, each profession must not only fulfill their professional focus, but they must value the other professions and understand their backgrounds and approaches. Without this approach, tribalism and territorialism take place. 

Frequently, this is done with the best of intentions--the health of the client. We are all biased to our field... because we know, understand, and value it? But when we act as gatekeepers to the other healthcare professions, we are robbing clients of a needed service. Like a family with warring parents, warring (or even just frigid) professional relationships end with harmed patients (children in the case of families). Family Systems Theory applies to on one level a relationship, on the next a nuclear family, then extended family, then historical family, etc.. Similarly, healthcare has interprofessional dynamics, similar-profession dynamics, divergent profession dynamics, and historical dynamics.

There is an interpersonal reason for each uncomfortable professional relationship as well as reasons at each relationship level:

• Same profession
• Similar profession
• Divergent/removed profession
• Historical healthcare

(You may want to watch the video before you keep reading: otherwise, it may be confusing.)

In order to reach interdisciplinary efficiency, we must first understand what each profession does, their education/training, the importance of what they do, and finally learn to value them. And in order to reach transdisciplinary efficiency, we must understand each triad relationship stacked atop each other--creating a circle. 

This circular shape embodies a cycle going round and round, which represents a system (hence the system in family systems theory). With time, the stacks of triads get higher and higher (representing the historical nature of healthcare). Therefore, healthcare represents a system with historical norms and practices. I find it helpful to picture a fascicle or a cinnamon bun dough roll before it's cut to really understand this historical concept.

"With time, the stacks of triads get higher and higher (representing the historical nature of healthcare [...] I find it helpful to picture a fascicle or a cinnamon bun dough roll before it's cut to really understand this historical concept."

The invisible and systemic nature of healthcare inefficiencies can only be rectified when they're identified. In order to identify them, we must dismantle the system/cycle/circle down to each dyad branching back to the original roots of healthcare. Until we understand and value all of our places in the patients' care and why they are historically positioned this way, we cannot reach the best service delivery for patients--we cannot reach transdisciplinary status.