A team in the context of medical care comprises professionals from various fields, including but not limited to healthcare, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and religious counseling, who collaborate toward a common goal. This collaborative approach extends beyond medical professionals to include patients, their families, and other relevant parties, such as local residents. In team medical care, decisions are made through respectful discussion based on each professional’s expertise, with consensus reached on the team’s goals. Patients and their families are integral members of the medical care team, actively participating in decision-making processes. By fostering teamwork, patients and their families can align their goals and preferences with the care provided by different professionals. The ultimate aim of medical care is to deliver patient-centered services that meet the needs and desires of patients and their families, enhancing patient satisfaction and the overall quality of care.
In a report by the “Study Group on the Promotion of Team Medical Care” released in March 2010, recommendations regarding the role of nurses in team medical care were provided. Nurses are recognized for their diverse capabilities, encompassing tasks related to patient care, treatment support, and assistance with post-treatment recovery across various medical settings. They are considered key figures within the team, with patients, doctors, and other medical professionals placing high expectations on them to facilitate effective collaboration and patient-centered care.
References- Hosoda, M. (2009). The philosophy and reality of “team medical care”: An approach from medical sociology for use in nursing. Japanese Nursing Association Publishing.
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. (2010). Report of the study group on the promotion of team medical care.
Retrieved from http://www.mhlw.go.jp/shingi/2010/03/dl/s0319-9a.pdf - Suzuki, S. (2008). New developments in medical psychology: The forefront of psychology for team medical care. Kitaoji Shobo.