Interprofessional health care is a team approach that brings together primary care providers (family doctors, nurse practitioners and medical residents) with other health care providers to give you the best possible care. One of the benefits of being a part of a family health team is having access to a range of interprofessional healthcare providers (IHPs). Our IHP team includes chiropodists, an occupational therapist, pharmacists, a physiotherapist, registered dietitians, registered nurses, a respiratory therapist, and social workers.
Chiropodists are foot experts that assess, manage, and prevent foot disorders and diseases. Chiropodists manage both acute and chronic conditions affecting feet and lower limbs. They provide total nail and skin care and can prescribe and fit you with custom foot orthotics, ankle foot orthoses and orthopaedic footwear. In addition, they can prescribe topical and oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.
Occupational therapists are experts in the activities of daily living that help bring meaning to your life. They work with you and your caregiver to identify your current function, understand your personal goals, and help you perform tasks as safely and independently as possible. Occupational therapists help you with a variety of diagnoses ranging from mental health issues to mental concerns, to physical dysfunction concerns. They also provide you with recommendations, education, support, and offer you additional resources.
Pharmacists are highly skilled and trusted medication experts that provide thorough medication assessments. They collaborate with you, your caregiver, and your primary provider to identify, prevent and solve issues related to medications you take. Pharmacists will assess and make recommendations about medications, and always consider your health care goals and preferences.
Physiotherapists provide evidence based, client centered care over the life span for multiple body systems. They see patients who do not have access to physiotherapy services through private insurance, OHIP, ODSP or OW. The physiotherapist provides physical assessments, education, and recommendations on how to manage your condition. They may also provide you with a home exercise program or refer you to community programs and services. Common conditions which are seen by the physiotherapist at the TW FHT include: muscle, bone or joint pain injuries, arthritis, sports injuries, balance, and gait concerns.
Registered dietitians are regulated health professionals who use their expertise in food and nutrition to improve overall health. They offer individual nutrition care as well as online classes. Registered dietitians provide nutrition counselling and education with a focus on health promotion and management of conditions such as diabetes, heart health, gastrointestinal issues and malnutrition. They support healthy eating for all life stages from babies to older adults.
Registered nurses assess, treat, and monitor patients with acute and chronic illness in partnership with the primary care providers; they focus on health promotion, disease prevention and chronic disease management (e.g. immunizations, smoking cessation counseling, diabetes education, etc.). They can help answer health questions, provide health education, and help link you to community supports.
Respiratory therapists are lung experts that work to improve breathing problems and overall lung health. They work with you and your primary care provider to support a new or ongoing diagnosis and provide treatment and care for lung diseases such as asthma and COPD. They review your symptoms and history, perform breathing tests, and offer recommendations for treatment options. They also offer individual smoking cessation counselling, provide lung health education, and may offer additional resources to further support you.
Social workers provide services to patients with mental health care needs. Social workers provide short-term psychotherapy and supportive counselling for mild to moderate mental health concerns, such as: anxiety, depression, adjustment or stress, grief or bereavement, and addictions. In addition to therapy, social workers can help you with advanced care planning (power of attorney and discussion of ACP wishes) and connect you with important resources to help with matters such as drug coverage, financial and housing problems, and unemployment.