Unit l health team

regarding health

1. HEALTH TEAM
Definition: It is defined as “ a group of persons who share a common
objectives determined by community needs and toward the achievement of which
each member of the team contributes in accordance with her/his competence(ability)
and skills, and respecting the functions of the other.”
1. THE PHYSICIAN: a physician is a person who is legally authorized to
practice medicine. In hospital setting, the physician is responsible for the
medical diagnosis and for determining the therapy required by a person who is
ill or injured.
Doctors can:
 Take medical histories.
 Update charts and patient information to show current findings and
treatments.
 Order tests for nurses or other healthcare staff to perform.
 Review test results to identify any abnormal findings.
 Recommend and design a plan of treatment.
 Address concerns or answer questions that patients have about their
health and well-being.
 Help patients take care of their health by discussing such topics as proper
nutrition and hygiene.
 Diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses.
 Some doctors, like surgeons, can operate on patients to treat injuries.
2. THE NURSE: number of personnel may be involved in a health team. The
team leader ‘head nurse’ is responsible for delegation(giving responsibility) of
duties to members of her team and care given to the patients.
Nurse can:
 Provide and coordinate patient care.
 Record patient’s medical histories and symptoms.
 Administer patients’ medicines and treatments.
 Set up plans for patients’ care or contribute to existing plans.
 Observe patients and record observations.

2.  Consult and collaborate with doctors and other members of the healthcare
team.
 Operate and monitor medical equipment.
 Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results.
 Educate patients and the public about health conditions.
 Provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family
members.
3. DIETITICIAN: Dietitician design special diets and they supervise the
preparation of meals according to doctor's prescription.
4. PHYSIOTHERAPIST: The physiotherapist provide assistance to patient who
has problem related to musculoskeletal system.
Functions:
 Assessing mobility and strength
 Providing therapeutic measures
 Teaching patients new skills and measures.
5. SOCIAL WORKER : Social worker provide assistance to the family and
patient. He provide assistance in the problems such as finances, counselling or
marital problems, adoption of children etc.
6. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST: The occupational therapist assists patient
with some impairment of function to gain skills as they relate to activities of
daily living and help with a skill that is therapeutic.
7. LABORATORY TECHNICIAN: examines and study specimens such as
urine, faeces, blood and discharge from wound.
8. RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST: assists with wide variety of X-Ray
procedures.
9. PHARMACISTS: Pharmacists dispense drugs and medications prescribed by
physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and dentists.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS IN COMMUNITY AREA
10. HEALTH ASSISTANT: They supervise 6 health workers and cover the
population of about 30000. Their functions include-
 Administration
 Supervision

3.  Maintaining human relation skills
11. COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER: The CHW is a member of the
community and play an important role in identifying a community’s problems
and in developing solutions.
12. ASHA ( ACCREDIATED SOCIAL HEALTH ACTIVIST): ASHA is a
social health activist in community who will create awareness on health. There
should be 1 ASHA for 1000 population
13. VILLAGE HEALTH GUIDE: The village health guides are mostly women
and this scheme was started on 2nd Oct. 1977. They are chosen by the
community in which they work.
They get training of 200 hours in 3 months.
14. TRAINED DIAS: Under the rural health scheme the local Dias are trained to
improve their knowledge. The training is given at sub centre, PHC &CHC and
in community area for 30 days.
They play a vital role in propagating small family norm.