Mark Wren, MD, MPH
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Medical Director, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Texarkana
3510 Richmond Rd Suite 400
903-831-6275

Murray Brandstater, MD, PhD
Randall Braddom, MD
Richard Senelick, MD

Physiatrist
PT
OT
Speech
Psychologist
Rehab nurse
Respiratory Therapist
Recreation Therapist
Case Manager
Social Worker
Dietician

Each patient belongs to every team member
Each professional on the team should accept equal ownership of the patient.

Every problem of the patient is a problem for every member of the team – for example we should all address the issue of depression, that is not just for the SW or psychologist of for the MD to prescribe meds
Perhaps the patient may respond best to the encouragement and advice from his PT or OT whom he relates to well; Patient might respond to one team member BUT NOT another

We should not carve up the rehab intervention like a salami sausage: the hand for the OT, leg for the PT, bowel and bladder for the RN, behavior for psych, the nurse aide for transfers
For example, if the patient needs to void in the gym the OT can take him and we can all offer support and counsel

If team members disagree on a treatment intervention or goal, never let the patient know--First discuss it openly and sympathetically with your other team members, and never talk about each other badly behind their backs…

It is fun and professionally very rewarding to work in an effective team, but it takes work and commitment from everyone to make it really work