Copyright © eContent Management Pty Ltd. Contemporary Nurse (2010) 36(1–2): 61–70. Volume 36, Issue 1–2, August/October 2010 61 C N C N Multidisciplinary teams caring for clients with chronic conditions: Experiences of community nurses and allied health professionals JANE CIOFFI Family and Community Health Research Group (FaCH), University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia LESLEY WILKES Family and Community Health Research Group (FaCH), Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Nepean Hospital, University of Western Sydney and Sydney West Area Health Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia JOANNE CUMMINGS Clinical Nursing Research Unit, University of Western Sydney and Sydney West Area Health Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia BRONWYN WARNE Primary Care and Community Health Network, Sydney West Area Health Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia KATHLEEN HARRISON Sydney West Area Health Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia ABSTRACT In Western societies the community prevalence of chronic conditions is increasing rapidly. Evidence has shown the benefits of care given to these clients by multidisciplinary teams. However, the experi- ence of diverse health professionals working in these teams is not well understood. This study presents the experiences of members in multidisciplinary teams caring for clients with chronic conditions in the community. A qualitative descriptive study was used with a purposive sample of 34 multidis- ciplinary team members who participated in focus groups that were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed. Team members’ experiences of working in multidisciplinary teams are described within three categories: shared purpose, working in the team, and tensions within the team. The findings provide direction for addressing team effectiveness, including issues of team leadership and evalua- tion of team performance. Keywords: allied health professionals; chronic care; community nurse; multidisciplinary team; experiences; focus groups