What defines the term "team-based care"?

The term "team-based care" is defined by a model where multiple health professionals coordinate care. This collaborative approach involves different members of the healthcare team—such as physicians, nurses, social workers, and other specialists—actively working together to provide comprehensive care to patients. The goal of team-based care is to leverage each professional's unique expertise to optimize patient outcomes, enhance communication, and improve the overall quality of care.

Coordination is a key aspect of this model, as each team member collaborates not only in the treatment of patients but also in decision-making processes, care planning, and follow-up care. Team-based care fosters a shared responsibility for patient outcomes, rather than an individual focus, ensuring that patients receive holistic and well-rounded treatment tailored to their needs.

In contrast, other models like those that focus on individual health professionals or involve working in isolation do not prioritize integrated care, which is essential for addressing complex health issues that patients may face. Administrative tasks, while important, are not the primary focus of team-based care; the emphasis is instead on patient care and interprofessional collaboration.