If you have attended our specialist clinic, you may have noticed that there are two health professionals present during your appointment. This might be different from other healthcare appointments you have attended; this may feel a little overwhelming or confusing. Having two health professionals involved does not mean there is anything wrong or that your condition is more serious than expected. It is simply part of our multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to care. We use this team-based approach because it helps us provide more complete and well-rounded care.
What is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary care?
Multidisciplinary care is when one or more health professionals from different disciplines are involved in patient care and share information with each other. But they create their own treatment plans relevant to their area of care.
Interdisiplinary care is similar, but the health professionals of different disciplines work even closer together. In this model of care, health professionals work together as a team, sharing ideas, and creating a plan together with you. This includes professionals working together in the same room with patients; this is the model of care we use in our specialist clinic in Gisborne.
What to expect during an appointment with our specialist clinic?
During appointments, both in our clinic and via telehealth, a community paramedic and nurse practitioner (NP) will work together to create a care plan tailored to you and your health needs.
During your appointment, both health professionals will listen to your concerns, ask questions, and discuss possible treatment options with you. One health professional may lead parts of the conversation while the other contributes to additional expertise and insights, takes notes and, researches and shares any information including medication options.
What are the Benefits of Interdisciplinary Care?
- More complete care: each health professional brings different skills, knowledge and experience to help build a fuller picture of your health and wellbeing. You can be reassured that your needs have been considered from more than one perspective.
- Better support for complex needs: this approach is helpful when your health concerns involve more than one area or require different types of clinical input.
- Faster treatment plans: Sometimes complex health concerns require consultation with other professionals. By having two professionals in the appointment, this allows for real-time discussion and collaboration, meaning a treatment plan is more likely to be agreed upon and started during the appointment rather than requiring follow-up appointments.
- Ongoing support between appointments: our nurse practitioners are contractors who are not available outside of appointments for support should patients need this. Whereas our community paramedics are available Monday to Friday to answer any questions and because they were involved in creating your treatment plan, they understand your health needs and goals.
Our goal is to make sure you feel supported, heard, and confident in your care. By working together, our community paramedic and nurse practitioner can provide a more thorough plan, efficiently.
If you have any concerns or questions about having two health professionals present, please let us know. We are happy to explain all of our roles within our clinic further.
Written by Community Paramedic & Clinical and Quality Lead Shannon
