Health Care Team

Rheumatic diseases are often complex and affect many aspects of a patient’s life. Effective management requires the coordinated efforts of a diverse group of professionals. With the patient as its central focus, the multidisciplinary health care team assesses and manages a patient’s symptoms and their effects on physical, psychological, and social functioning, as well as develops a treatment plan that will lead to the best control of the disease and its symptoms. The following resources outline the role of various health professionals encountered by a rheumatology patient.

Rheumatology Health Care Team

Advanced Practice Provider

Certified Medical Assistant

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical Research Coordinator

Health Educator

Infusion Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Psychologist

Nurse Practitioner (Advanced Practice Providers include Nurse Practitioners)

Occupational Therapist

Patient Role

Pharmacist

Physical Therapist

Physician Assistant (Advanced Practice Providers include Physician Assistants)

Practice Administrator

Primary Care Physician

Registered Dietician

Registered Nurse

Rheumatologist

Social Worker