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9: Anticipating Challenges and Troubleshooting

Identifying Barriers

There is no shortage of potential challenges associated with an MDT, and each MDT will likely have unique challenges. Although these barriers have been identified and addressed to varying degrees throughout the guide, they are synthesized here for emphasis. These troubling issues can and should be anticipated and dealt with early in the process of developing your MDT to avoid the MDT becoming embroiled in them. Table 2 provides a list of these challenges and potential solutions, although there is some overlap with items described in Toolkit items: Issues for Initial MDT Discussions and Issues to Discuss for Cross Training.

Table 2. Threats to Collaboration and Overcoming Barriers

Threats to Collaboration

Scholars and practitioners have identified a range of potential threats to collaboration that are important to recognize. For convenience, these threats are categorized into four groups, recognizing that there is overlap among the categories.

Overcoming Barriers

Potential solutions to a number of the barriers identified above are described below. This list is by no means exhaustive, and in many cases, solutions for one challenge may positively affect other challenges as well.

Praise for MDT Members

Be sure MDT members are providing plenty of praise to each other. Not only is it well deserved, but it has the added benefit of building team cohesion (Levi, 2014).