SECTION 2 The interprofessional care team and you

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The interprofessional care team ► Why the care team is important ► What a care team does ► Who is on the team ► Your role 3

Why the team is important Each team designs a care plan for each stroke survivor by: ► Sharing information ► Developing care strategies and approaches ► Reporting changes ► Solving problems or managing issues 4

What a care team does Assessment: You play an important role in carefully observing the survivor for problem signs and reporting them to the team. Team members can then do a closer assessment. Diagnosis:The team’s doctor is responsible for identifying medical problems based on the assessment. 5

What a care team does Care planning:The team recommends a treatment plan based on the assessment and diagnosis. Implementation:Your knowledge and close contact with the stroke survivor play a big role in deciding on the best way to implement the plan. 6

What a care team does Evaluation:Your observations help the team to judge whether the treatment plan is working well or if there need to be changes. 7

Key point Talk to a team member if you see any problems or changes in the stroke survivor’s condition. You will often need to talk to the nurse or case manager. 8

The team members ► Doctors ► Nurses ► Pharmacist ► Physiotherapist ► Occupational therapist ► Speech-language pathologist ► Psychologist 9

The team members, continued ► Social worker ► Recreation therapist ► Dietitian and dietary aides ► Personal support workers and health care aides ► The stroke survivor ► The primary caregiver, family, and friends 10

Your role on the team ► Know your main contact on the team. ► Provide regular updates about the survivor you care for, especially any changes. ► Ask your team contact for regular updates on care strategies and approaches. 11

Upon reflection ► Who are the members on your team? ► How do you communicate with them? 12