Partnerships in collaborative care : Role of the exercise physiologist

[Extract] This chapter describes frequently encountered roles that are required to support the delivery of contemporary practice in the care of individuals with a chronic illness and/or disability. The provision of contemporary practice necessitates a team approach being adopted which brings together in partnership a range of health professionals and other agencies and services. The nature of this partnership is one of collaboration and goal-setting to see that optimal outcomes are achieved for the individual and their family. Determination of these outcomes is based on the use of evidence-based practice and the collective learnings of each of the team members to see what might be possible; to consider new ways of doing or set up innovative ways to manage. The complexity of need that exists for many people experiencing a chronic illness or disability is significant and changing. This may mean that the lead of the team changes and that it is not necessarily medically driven. However, it is recognised that most care in this context is coordinated through the nurse, who frequently is the constant in the lives of the individual. It also recognises that the composition of the ‘team’ may need to change as the needs of individuals with a chronic illness and/or disability also change, requiring different professionals, agencies or services to be involved.