Healthcare team composition and roles

Healthcare Team Members

HEALTH CARE TEAM

The healthcare team is assembled and trained to meet the special needs of patients and their families (Ezziane, et al., 2012). A skilled health care team can consist of doctors, nurses and many other health care professionals. A patient may encounter many different team members, each playing a special role in delivering quality care (Allen, 2009).

Attending Physicians (M.D., Doctor of Medicine) are experts in very specialized areas such as obstetrics or pediatrics. Most physicians treat injuries and illnesses in patients by giving exams, taking medical histories, prescribing medications, and ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests. They oversee and lead the healthcare team.

Education - Physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on their specialty.

Anesthesiologists (M.D., Doctor of Medicine or D.O., Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) administer medicine to prevent pain or physical sensation during medical procedures. They may use drugs to cause a patient to lose consciousness, particularly during surgeries. They do not have ongoing commitments to patients as doctors do.

Education - Most physicians who specialize in anesthesiology complete 4 years of undergraduate college, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency.

Resident Doctors (M.D., D.O.) are physicians completing their graduate training who have received a medical degree and practice medicine under the supervision of fully licensed physician within a clinical setting. Successful completion of residency training is a requirement to practice medicine. Residents will fulfill the same basic duties of an attending physician, often leaving more sophisticated analysis, diagnosis and interpretations to the supervising physician.

Education -- After 4 years of undergraduate study and 4 years of graduate study, a residency follows a yearlong internship.

Registered Nurses (R.N.) work hand-in-hand with doctors to ensure that the patient is comfortable. They observe, assess, record and report symptoms, reactions, and progress; perform treatments and examinations; start IVs; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. They answer patient questions, address problems that may arise suddenly and make sure tasks and doctor's orders are carried out.

Education -- Most RNs complete a 4-year Bachelor of Science in nursing and take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) to receive a state license.

Family Nurse Practitioners (F.N.P.) are specially trained R.N.s who act as well-rounded practitioners that function to meet the health care needs of any number of members of a family unit. FNPs provide health assessments, direct care, and guidance, teaching, or counseling and emphasize patient and family "self-care."

Education -- Most FNPs hold a Master of Science in Nursing. They are also required to have previously completed a 4-year registered nursing program and earned licensure as a RN.

Physical Therapists (P.T.) help patients address problems of movement, balance, coordination, strength and endurance.