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Your Secret to Getting and Staying Well
Working with a team of healthcare specialists is the best way to treat a new or ongoing condition. Get to know the providers on your side.
Maybe you love your primary care provider (PCP). (We sure hope you do!) But no matter how great they are, they don’t know everything about medicine. Nobody does. For example, you want an OB-GYN in the room if you're delivering a baby. But they’re not your go-to for a heart condition. And a brain surgeon is great for, well, brain surgery. But they’re not experts on what to eat to manage diabetes.
That’s why when you’re dealing with a new or ongoing condition like diabetes or heart disease, it helps to have a group of professionals with different areas of expertise on your side who can help you handle a range of concerns. That’s exactly what a care team is.
“A care team provides comprehensive care to people living with chronic and complex health conditions,” says Justin B. Montgomery, DNP, APRN. He’s the director of Ambulatory Care Nursing at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. In fact, research shows that having a care team improves the safety, efficiency, and quality of your health care.
Care teams are helpful in managing complex conditions. That includes chronic diseases like cancer and mental health conditions like depression. The right team can help you create a well-rounded and personalized plan based on your care needs. It may range from a few health professionals to 10 or more. The size and mix of the team depends on your personal needs. Here are some top team players and their roles.
Primary care provider
Think of your PCP as the leader of the pack. “You may have several different specialists who don’t routinely talk to one another,” says Teri Dreher, RN. Dreher is president of North Shore Patient Advocates in Chicago. Your PCP can do the heavy lifting of creating one plan from all their suggestions. They are your go-to when you have questions about your health or care plan. And their answers are more personalized. That’s thanks to their deeper understanding of your conditions and care.
Registered nurse
Nurses aren’t just there to take your height, weight, and blood pressure. They can be a great resource for many areas of your health. They can answer your questions about your diagnoses and treatments. They can share ideas for making healthy lifestyle changes. They can also assist with handling advice from other providers on your team.
Social worker
Social workers can offer emotional and social support for you and your family, says Dreher. They can also connect you with other resources. This may include getting safe housing, healthy foods, and rides to doctor appointments.
Mental health specialist
Many people with chronic conditions experience anxiety and depression. This is especially true if you have chronic pain, says Jan Brandes, MD. Dr. Brandes is an assistant clinical professor of neurology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. You may need counseling or benefit from medication. Think about reaching out to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker.
Case manager
A case manager is there to help you navigate the healthcare system. They keep tabs on your medical records and log your progress. Along the way, they can help you stay on top of your treatments. They can also help you get added services and resources if you need them. Having trouble paying for care or medications? A case manager can help you find solutions.
Pharmacist
A pharmacist does more than fill prescriptions. They check doses and can tell you about possible drug side effects. They also can warn you about drug interactions. And they can suggest different drugs if needed.
Physical, occupational and speech therapists
Sometimes after an illness, like a stroke, you may have trouble with basic life tasks. You might struggle to walk, talk, or get dressed. Therapists can teach you how to do these skills again. And they can help you get adaptive supports when full recovery isn’t possible. These are tools, devices, and machines that help you with daily living tasks. Examples include wheelchairs, scooters, and prosthetics.
Dietitian
Sometimes a change in diet is part of treating a health problem. That's especially true with conditions like high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or even certain cancers. A dietitian can create a meal plan that is good for you.
Health care advocate
Like the name sounds, a health care advocate is there for your support. They can help you figure out the right health benefits for your medical needs. And what questions to ask your care team. You can also ask them to go with you to doctor’s appointments.
What you need to know
The key to getting the most out of your relationship with every care team member: good communication. To build a strong foundation, ask these questions every time you have an appointment with a new care team member:
- How can you help me with my health?
- How will you talk with other members of my care team?
- How does your care plan fit into my overall health plan?
- What symptoms should I tell you about?
- How often should I see you?
- How will I know that my treatments are working?
When you have the right care team working with you, you can rest assured you are doing all you can for your health.
Additional source:
Care team: Harvard Medical School
