Spotlight on the Academic Multidisciplinary Team

We were delighted to host the 3^rd NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre Academic Geriatric Medicine Workshop virtually on 19^th March. The day was focused on the Academic Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and aimed to share research knowledge, activity, and experience across disciplines.

We had a range of stimulating talks throughout the day. Professor Avan Aihie Sayer and Professor Helen Roberts introduced the day including the role of NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Applied Research Collaborations in supporting multidisciplinary research. Professor John Gladman explained the concept of the Academic MDT and how it builds on the MDT approach that is so important in the clinical care of older people.

We then had a fascinating series of perspectives from different members of the Academic MDT: Professor Jill Manthorpe (Academic Social Care), Professor Jackie Bridges (Academic Nursing) and  Professor Lynn Rochester (Academic Physiotherapy). We also heard from the perspective of two early career researchers: Adeela Usman a BGS / Dunhill Doctoral Training Fellow and Dr Oliver Todd a Clinical Lecturer with an interest in the use of big data for research.

We had around 70 people attend for the day from a range of professional backgrounds and with a diverse range of research interests (as shown below). The engagement from the audience (many of whom were attending around other commitments throughout the day) was fantastic, with the meeting chat running to over 6,000 words! In the afternoon session, chaired by Professor Miles Witham and Dr Richard Dodds the audience participation continued in the form of break out groups. Using an online system, we sought participants’ views on the barriers and drivers to Academic MDT working. Thanks to Eleanor Lockhart for setting up the technology to make this possible and to Dr Emma Raine for her support on the day.

We would like to thank everyone who attended and hope to be able to share the findings and next steps from the day soon.

Selection of the research interests reported by participants at registration.

Last modified: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 11:32:02 BST