Clinicians appreciate Integrated Family Healthcare for many reasons including the following.
- Biomedical and psychosocial clinicians are regarded as equal members of the health care team who communicate and interact on a regular basis.
- Decision-making processes are undertaken with mutual respect for the distinctive as well as the stored knowledge and expertise of each professional.
- Clinicians encourage and respect the participation of the family as partners in the health care process.
- Patient and family strengths, competencies, accomplishments and resources – including community resources and networks – are stressed and used in health care assessment and treatment.
- There is constant awareness of the need to maintain continuity of treatment planning and implementation.
- When necessary, consultation with specialty clinicians is available and used by the entire team. Referral of patients to specialists is minimized.
