vårdteamet

Vårdteamet is a term used in Swedish healthcare to describe a multidisciplinary team responsible for planning, delivering, and coordinating a patient’s care across different care settings. The aim is to ensure continuity, safety, and patient-centered treatment through shared responsibility and regular communication.

Typical members include physicians or specialists, registered nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, psychologists, and care coordinators. In primary care or home care, a designated team leader or primary contact nurse may assume responsibility for the overall care plan and communication.

Key functions include assessing needs, developing a comprehensive care plan with goals, coordinating treatments and medications, monitoring progress, organizing information exchange, and assisting transitions between hospital, clinic, and home. Regular team meetings and use of shared records support coordinated action and patient involvement.

Vårdteamet operates in hospitals, primary care centers, and municipal home care. It emphasizes patient and family participation in decision-making and planning, with a named contact for questions and updates.

Benefits include improved continuity of care, more holistic treatment, reduced duplication, better safety, and higher patient satisfaction. Challenges can include coordinating across different professions, defining roles, ensuring timely information transfer, and aligning IT systems. The approach is supported by regional healthcare governance in Sweden and relies on clear leadership and well-defined care plans.