We have met so many people involved in my wife’s care.Who are all these people, and what do they do?

We have met so many people involved in my wife’s care.

Who are all these people, and what do they do?

The healthcare team is composed of different professionals
who are specially trained to deal with the medical
and emotional issues you are confronting. Become
familiar with these people and the ways they can help
you. The following is a list of the standard team members
and what they can do for you:

• Physicians and surgeons (MDs). May include a
medical oncologist (expert in chemotherapy, among
other cancer treatments), a surgeon, and/or a radiation
oncologist (expert in radiation therapy). There
are many additional doctors and specialists who may
be involved in determining the diagnosis of cancer
and/or its treatment. If you are unfamiliar with the
different terms used to describe these specialists,
feel free to ask these professionals for clarification.

• Nurses. Registered nurses (RNs) typically have a
four-year college degree and hospital training. They
are an integral part of patient care and will be
extremely helpful to you. Nurses provide patient
care on the inpatient floors and outpatient centers,
and they can be very specialized in the type of care
they provide. A nurse practitioner (NP) is an
advanced practice clinician with a master’s degree
who, under supervision of a doctor, can prescribe
medications and write medical orders in most
states, provide direct medical care, and serve as a
good resource for important information. A clinical
nurse specialist (CNS) is a nurse with a master’s
degree who can provide patient care, but also specializes
in the role of an educator in a medical specialty.
Depending on your state and hospital
policies, other people may be involved in different
types of hands-on patient care, including licensed
practical nurses (LPN), nursing assistants, and
patient certified technicians (PCT).

• Physician assistants (PA). PAs are medical professionals
that can diagnose, treat, and write prescriptions
and medical orders, all under the supervision of
a physician. Many clinics and hospitals employ both
PAs and NPs to assist the physicians treating cancer.

• Social workers. In most states, certified or licensed
social workers (CSW, LCSW, LSW) usually have
at least a master’s degree (MSW, MSSW). They are
available to assist you in coping with the diagnosis,
the stress of adjustment to treatment and hospitalization,
and can provide counseling to patients and
their families. They also may help identify community
resources and may coordinate patient discharge
from the hospital.

• Case managers (or discharge planners). Some hospitals
have nurse case managers who are responsible
for coordinating discharge from the hospital,
whereas at other hospitals social workers perform
this role. Find out who performs this role at your
hospital so that you can contact that person to
discuss home care, equipment, placement (e.g.,
nursing home), or other discharge needs when
your loved one goes home.

• Interns/residents/fellows. If your loved one is being
treated at a teaching hospital, he or she may have a
variety of “doctors-in-training.” These team members
often can be helpful and supportive of you.
Remember, however, that the attending physician
is the person who is in charge of a hospital patient’s
care, and that if you have questions or think that
you have been given inconsistent information, you
can ask to speak directly to the attending physician
in charge of your loved one’s care.

• Clinical dietitians/nutritionists. They are available
to provide education on the role of diet in a patient’s
recovery from cancer. They are often part of the
inpatient team and sometimes are available in outpatient
clinics as well. You may want to contact one
of these professionals to answer any questions you
may have on what foods to eat, preparation of food,
and any foods your loved one should avoid during
or after treatments.

Hospitals also employ many other experts who may be
involved in your spouse’s care, such as patient advocates/
representatives, physical therapists, respiratory
therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists,
other physician specialists, hospital chaplains,
technicians, and patient escorts. It is often
helpful for you and your loved one to get to know
these people. By making a personal connection, you
may feel more comfortable and supported by those
around you.


Home care = Medical, nursing, social, or rehabilitative
services provided in the patient’s home.

Nursing home = A facility that provides long-term custodial
care for patients who can no longer live at home.

Attending physician = The physician in charge of a hospital
patient’s care.