The Importance of an Interdisciplinary Healthcare Team for Seniors
If you've ever struggled with a chronic illness—or any medical condition that required regular care—you're familiar with the frustrating back-and-forth shuffle between different types of healthcare professionals. You might first see your primary care provider, who might refer you to a specialist, who might send you to have some tests done…and so on. Further, at each step of the process, you're likely to have to re-explain the problem and paraphrase anything your previous doctor said. It's an exhausting process for everyone, but for seniors who have limited mobility and might be dealing with multiple health-related issues at once, it's especially difficult.
For these reasons, many public health experts have begun discussing the need for an integrated healthcare system, especially where seniors are concerned. An integrated healthcare system is composed of an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who all collaborate and communicate about their patients' treatment.
For example, an interdisciplinary healthcare team centered around caring for the elderly might include doctors, nurses, therapists (such as physical and/or occupational therapists), pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers, and even in-home care professionals—all of whom are working toward the same goal and following the same treatment plan.
Aside from simple convenience, here are a few of the benefits of interdisciplinary teams in healthcare:
Improved care and fewer medical errors as a result of the combined knowledge, ideas, and problem-solving skills of team members
Holistic care that incorporates an individual's emotional, psychological, and social needs in addition to physical medical care
Better accommodation of complex illnesses and chronic conditions, as well as increased awareness of interactions between multiple prescriptions
Improved overall patient experience, including more support, less stress, and better continuity of care
Don't wait any longer to establish integrated healthcare from an interdisciplinary team for yourself or your loved ones. PACE of Southwest Michigan's innovative philosophy focuses on providing care to seniors in their own homes and communities, thereby allowing them to maintain their comfort, independence, and dignity. PACE takes a holistic, all-inclusive approach to care that combines interdisciplinary healthcare, social support, spiritual care, and more. If you or someone you know is struggling to have their care needs met, check your eligibility or contact us to explore your options.