Effective working processes employed by a multidisciplinary team to reduce injury outcomes in a professional rugby league academy.

Introduction: In professional team sport managing injury risk depends on the effective collaboration of technical/tactical coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, sports medicine practitioners and sport scientists within a multidisciplinary team (MDT), yet to date no research has examined how these professionals might co-ordinate their efforts. The aim of this research is to examine the processes and interactions utilized by a demonstrably effective MDT.
Methods: This research utilised a mixed methods design incorporating both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The efficacy of the MDT was established by quantifying the injury burden of the team across two seasons. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all MDT members at the end of the second season, to determine each individual’s role within the injury prevention process and how these were co-ordinated between disciplines. Interviews were thematically analysed to provide insight into the approach adopted by the MDT.
Results: The MDT achieved a 41% reduction in team injury burden during the second season in question (first season 3 450 vs. second season 1428 days/1 000 hours). Thematic analysis identified three key constructs that contributed to the MDT’s success; 1) shared values, 2) expertise and 3) the effective operationalization of underpinning values and expertise. Shared values expressed by the MDT members included doing what is best for players, rather than for the team, and shared responsibility for injury prevention. All MDT members were experts in their own fields but identified that they had to learn how to be effective within the environment and required skill in building interpersonal relationships. The operationalisation of these principals took place through iterative Plan-Do-Review cycles underpinned by sophisticated data collection and monitoring and the provision of time and resource to complete these operations.
Conclusion: This research offers insights into “how” effective MDT’s work to achieve injury reduction, and the models and processes presented will inform practice for other MDT’s working in sport.

https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2019/v31i1a7466