Health team

Healthcare is a team effort. Each healthcare provider is like a member of the team with a
special role. Some team members are doctors or technicians who help diagnose disease.
Others are experts who treat disease or care for patients' physical and emotional needs.

Health team members

1. Physicians
Doctors, or physicians, are key members of the healthcare team. They have years of education and
training. They may be primary care doctors or specialists.

Primary Care Doctors

When patients need medical care, they first go to primary care doctors. Primary care doctors
focus on preventive healthcare. This includes regular check-ups, disease screening tests,
immunizations and health counseling. Primary care doctors may be family practitioners,
internal medicine or Osteopathic Doctors (OD's). Pediatricians also provide primary care for
babies, children and teenagers.

Specialists
Specialists diagnose and treat conditions that require a special area of knowledge. Patients
may see a specialist to diagnose or treat a specific short-term condition or, if they have a
chronic disease, they may see a specialist on an ongoing basis. Examples of specialties
include: endocrinology, dermatology and obstetrics

Specialties of Physicians:
 Cardiology
 Neurology
 Obstetrics & Gynecology
 Pediatrics
 Psychology
 Ophthalmology
 Radiology

Medical Doctor Specialties What do they deal with?

Allergic reactions to food, medications,
Allergy and Immunology insect stings, and environment; asthma and
other lung problems
Medication to help patients manage pain or
Anesthesiology
sedate them during surgery
Heart, blood vessels, and the circulatory
Cardiology
system (blood vessels)
 Adjusting areas of the body and spine to
Chiropractic Medicine prevent or treat disease and improve nerve
function
Acute, life-threatening illness or injury,
Critical Care Medicine usually in a hospital’s ICU (Intensive Care
Unit) or CCU (Critical Care Unit).
Dentistry Diseases of the teeth and mouth

Dermatology Skin, hair and nail disease

Life-threatening medical conditions or
Emergency Medicine injuries, usually in a hospital emergency
room
Hormones and glands such as the thyroid,
Endocrinology and Metabolism pituitary, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries and
testes; also deals with diabetes

2. Physician Assistants (PA’s):

Physician's Assistants are licensed to practice medicine and are supervised by a doctor. Their
training is similar to a doctor's but they do not complete an internship or residency. Like a
medical doctor, a physician's assistant can perform physical exams, order tests, diagnose
illnesses and prescribe medicine, assist in surgery, provide preventive Healthcare counseling.
Education for PA's includes a 4-year degree plus a 2-year Physician Assistant program.

3. Registered Nurse:
Nursing staff are highly skilled professionals with expertise in providing excellent clinical
care and a commitment to understanding your issues and concerns. The nurses work closely
with doctor and other members of the healthcare team, patients and families.
Advanced Practice Nurses (APN’s), Clinical Educators and Nurse Practitioners work with the staff
nurses to educate and coach patients and their families; act as patient advocates; and coordinate
care for patients. Nurses assess, administer and monitor treatments, help diagnose problems, and
are watchful of any complications.

4. Pharmacist:
Pharmacists give patients medicines that are prescribed, or recommended, by a doctor. They
tell patients how to use medicines and answer questions about side effects. Sometimes
pharmacists help doctors choose which medicines to give patients and let doctors know if
combinations of medicines may interact and harm patients.
5. Dentists:
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and mouth, along with giving advice and
administering care to help prevent future problems. They teach patients about brushing,
flossing, fluoride, and other aspects of dental care. They treat tooth decay, fill cavities and
replace missing teeth.

6. Lab technician:
Lab technician providers diagnose and treat disease by analyzing body fluids and cells. They
look for bacteria or parasites, analyze chemicals, match blood for transfusions, or test for
drug levels in the blood to see how a patient is responding to treatment.

7. Radiologist:
Radiographers, help providers diagnose and treat disease by taking x-rays. For some
procedures technologists make a solution that patients drink to help soft body tissues can be
seen. Radiology technologists are can specialize in computed tomography (CT scans),
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI’s) or mammography.

8. Dietician:
Clinical Nutrition Services include Registered Dietitians and Nutrition Technicians who work
together in consultation with other healthcare professionals to provide nutritional care and
education. Clinical dietitians are skilled at assessing your nutritional requirements.

9. Psychologists:
Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat emotional health issues. They help people deal with
illnesses, injuries, and personal crises in their lives. Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression,
pain management, sleep difficulties, adjustment difficulties, anxiety, and feelings of grief and
loss are often treated by psychologists.

10. Occupational therapists:

Occupational Therapists help patients perform tasks needed for every-day living or working.
They work with patients who have physical, mental or developmental disabilities. This
includes stroke patients who have lost function on one side of their body, heart or lung
disease patients with activity or breathing limitations, or diabetes patients who have had a
limb amputated. Occupational therapists help clients find new ways to dress, cook, eat or
work. They may visit patients in their home or workplace to find adaptive equipment or teach
patients new ways to do things.
11. Psycho therapists:
Physiotherapy services can assist you to enhance and maintain your physical abilities at the
highest level possible. Physiotherapists provide assessment, education and treatment for a
wide range of health issues, and may include therapeutic exercises, ultrasound, electrical
muscle stimulation, strengthening exercises using weights, and gait training.

12. Speech therapist:

Speech Therapists are also called speech-language pathologists. They work with patients who
have problems related to speech, communication or swallowing.
Speech problems may be caused by cancer, stroke or brain injury. Speech therapists tailor
care plans to each patient's needs. If a patient has a problem speaking, the therapist may teach
them to use communication devices, sign language or alternative ways to communicate. For
problems swallowing, they may teach patients to strengthen muscles or new ways to swallow
food and liquids without choking.

13. RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS:

Respiratory Therapists treat and care for patients with breathing problems. They work with
all types of patients including premature babies, older people with lung disease, or patients
with asthma or emphysema.

14. SOCIAL WORKER:

Social workers in a clinical or hospital setting help patients and families cope with emotional,
physical and financial issues related to an illness. Depending on a patient's need a social
worker may help coordinate services such as housing, transportation, financial assistance,
meals, long-term care, or hospice care. Social workers may also refer patients to mental
health professionals for emotional or substance abuse support. Social workers have a master's
degree and are licensed by the state.

15. SPRITUAL LEADERS:

Religion or spirituality can be important for people coping with illness. Members of the
clergy such as priests, ministers and rabbis provide patients with spiritual support. They may
listen to patients, counsel them on religious or spiritual philosophy. They may also perform
religious sacraments or rites such as special blessings, communion or last rights.

16. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFS:

Administrative and clerical staff coordinate and facilitate patient care. They schedule
appointments, answer phones, greet patients, keep medical records, handle medical billing,
fill out insurance forms, arrange for laboratory or other diagnostic services, and handle
financial records. Some job titles of administrative or clerical staff include:
– Clinic Coordinator
– Administrative Medical Assistant
– Medical Records Specialist
– Medical Billing Specialist
– Financial Counselor
– Scheduler

17. VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers are an important part of the healthcare team. The duties of volunteers can vary
widely. Volunteers may have administrative duties and work in reception areas or gift shops.
In a medical office they may file documents, answer phones, help with health screening or
deliver documents to various parts of the hospital. "Advanced Volunteers" have special
training and may work closely patients under the supervision of a nurse or doctor.

“NO ONE CAN DO EVERYTHING…..

BUT….
EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING”………