Creating a Team: A Systemic View on Collaboration among Health Care Providers and Medical Family Therapists

The diverse issues affecting patients in the contemporary health care environment include physical concerns, psychosocial needs, and spiritual searching. Therefore, the appropriate quality of care can only be provided by the collaborative effort of a multidisciplinary team. Such health care is informed by the common goal of all members of the team and characterized by their willingness to delineate a common definition of the problem, to develop a united strategy, and to establish a clear understanding of their roles. This article offers an opportunity to explore how collaboration among health care providers can be successfully implemented and maintained in a variety of settings. In addition, the authors reflect on and clarify the role of the medical family therapist within the medical milieu.