Care Team

As primary care shifts from transactional to quality focused, incorporating a care team has become even more beneficial. In order to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care, more than just the clinician must play a role. The care team consists of physicians, nurse practitioners, PAs, nurses, care managers, dieticians, and social workers, among others. Having a large, well-coordinated team allows patients to avoid the confusion when attempting to access primary care services and leads to better connectedness in their care. The care team is totally devoted to ensuring that the patient is at the center of the care process. As the driver of the care team, the patient is especially involved in choosing their course of care. Care teams are essential in coordination, and continuity of care. As clinics develop a care team, it is critical that they include the patient voice, to ensure that they are effectively meeting the patients' needs. If the care team lacks cohesion, it will only further contribute to the current, fragmented system. 

Resources

Oregon Health Authority | November 2013
Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative | October 2013
Journal of General Internal Medicine | September 2013
Annals of Family Medicine | September 2013
Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative | July 2013
Safety Net Medical Home Initiative | July 2013

Associated Stakeholders: 

Care Delivery & Integration

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