Facilitators and Barriers to Multidisciplinary Teamwork in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Care: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Purpose: This descriptive qualitative study aims to deepen the understanding of the teamwork processes employed by multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals caring for adolescent and young adult cancer patients and identify the facilitators and barriers influencing these teamwork activities. Patients and Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 healthcare professionals working with adolescent and young adult patients with cancer in a major hospital in South Korea. The data were thematically analyzed using NVivo software (14.0), with two researchers independently coding the interview transcripts. Results: The oncology multidisciplinary team process was identified as comprising three phases: (1) establishing teamwork during admission; (2) strengthening teamwork during active treatment; and (3) concluding teamwork and sustaining connections during care transitions. Key facilitators of teamwork included a positive team atmosphere, enhanced interdisciplinary communication, and a strong workforce. Barriers to effective teamwork were identified at the interpersonal, institutional, and national levels, including inadequate information sharing, role ambiguity, hierarchical communication structures, and limited resources. Conclusion: Effective care for adolescents and young adults with cancer requires addressing their psychosocial needs through a well-resourced multidisciplinary team. Future research should focus on applying identified facilitators and overcoming barriers to enhance teamwork. This study emphasizes the critical role of nurses in achieving high-quality, patient-centered care.