JOURNAL OF INTERPROFESSIONAL CARE, VOL. 16, NO. 2, 2002 Computer-mediated interdisciplinary teams: theory and reality KERRYELLEN VROMAN 1 &JOANN KOVACICH 2 1 University of New England, Biddeford, Maine & 2 Interdisciplinary Training for Health Care for Rural Areas Project, Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA Summary The benefit of experience, tempered with the wisdom of hindsight and 5 years of text-based, asynchronous, computer-mediated, interdisciplinary team communications, provides the energy, insights and data shared in this article. Through the theoretical lens of group dynamics and the epistemology of interdisciplinary teaming, we analyze the interactions of a virtual interdisciplinary team to provide an understanding and appreciation of collaborative interdisciplinary communication in the context of interactive technologies. Whilst interactive technologies may require new patterns of language similar to that of learning a foreign language, what is communicated in the interdisciplinary team process does not change. Most important is the recognition that virtual teams, similar to their face-to-face counterparts, undergo the same challenges of interdisciplinary teaming and group developmental processes of formation: forming, storming, norming, performing, and transforming. After examining these dynamics of communication and collaboration in the context of the virtual team, the article concludes with guidelines facilitating interdisciplinary team computer-mediated communication. Key words: Interdisciplinary; computer-mediated communication; group dynamics; team building; problem-based learning; rural; faculty teams. Introduction Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is assuming a central role in health care deliv- ery, enabling health care teams to document and disseminate information quickly and efficiently. Laboratory and radiological results can be immediately available and patient information can be made accessible at multiple sites. However, like many human interac- tions, CMC is ‘fraught with cognitive, cultural, social and technical challenges’ (Patel et al., 1999, p. 159). Through the theoretical lens of group dynamics and the epistemology of interdisciplinary teaming, in this article we analyze the interactions of a virtual interdisciplinary team. The intention is to provide an understanding and appreciation of the role and impact of interactive technologies on collaborative interdisciplinary communication and assist the reader in facilitating interdisciplinary team CMC. Beginning with a brief description of the Correspondence to: J. Kovacich, Interdisciplinary Training for Health Care for Rural Areas Project, Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy, University of Maine, 438 Grand Ave, Rochester, NY 14609, USA. Tel: 585 288 4602. Fax: 585 288 4602. E-mail: Joann Kovacich@umit.maine.edu ISSN 1356–1820 print/ISSN 1469-9567 online/02/020159–12 Ó Taylor & Francis Ltd DOI: 10.1080/13561820220124175