PCP: Outpatient team
The Primary Care Practicum is your first opportunity to participate in an authentic interprofessional health care team. At almost every clinic, you will work with at least one other health profession. Many practices are moving to a team-based care model that includes a range of professions to better meet the needs of their patients. Every team is different and you’ll learn who is on your team when you arrive at your PCP.
Medical Assistants
The job of a medical assistant is diverse and involves direct, in-person patient care along with addressing a multitude of between visit care needs. Medical assistants are usually the first person to engage with a patient during their clinic visits. They are responsible for rooming a patient, obtaining vital signs, briefly reviewing patient concerns and updating portions of the medical record. Additional clinical duties may include performing EKGs, administering immunizations, assisting with procedures among many other things. In many clinical settings, medical assistants also develop long-term continuity relationships with patients and are integral in helping with between visit acute and chronic care management.
Registered nurses
Registered nurses are involved in many aspects of patient care. A key role is the triage of patient concerns, directing them to the most appropriate site of care. RNs are integral in health education, care coordination and follow-up of clinical care interventions. RNs develop continuity relationships with patients and help to manage chronic medical conditions which require frequent follow up such as diabetes, heart failure and hypertension. In the in-person setting, RNs may be involved in caring for and transferring unstable patients, wound care management, and administering medications among other things.
Clinical pharmacists
Washington state law allows clinical pharmacists to see patients for independent visits for common chronic illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension, and warfarin anticoagulation. Under collaborative drug therapy protocols, established with the prescribers in the clinic, pharmacists initiate, monitor, and modify drug therapy for specific diagnoses. Patients achieve therapeutic goals more quickly and with fewer provider visits. Pharmacists can also provide patient education, medication reconciliation, and identify resources for patient unable to afford their drugs.
Social workers.
Social workers assess patients’ and families’ strengths & needs and identify resources to meet those needs, within the clinic or healthcare system or in the community. These needs are diverse and may include issues around insurance, housing, mental health, substance use disorders, caregiver support systems and grief among many others. In some clinics social workers may provide short term counseling services.
Mental health specialists.
Many clinics have integrated mental health or behavioral health specialists into the clinic, given the prevalence of mental illness in both primary and specialty care. These specialists may be psychiatrists, psychologists or licensed social workers. Many of the behavioral health programs in the primary care setting aim to provide guidance around medication management, mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy tools to help with mood disorders, and provide more immediate support while patients are transitioned to a mental health provider who can provide a longer-term therapeutic relationship.
Dietitians
Dietitians work with patients to assess nutritional status, counsel on eating habits, diet modifications, and healthy lifestyle and provide education on nutrition for disease management.