Health care can feel confusing, especially when you are dealing with a new diagnosis, ongoing symptoms or a condition that affects more than one part of your body. You may need to see several specialists, schedule different tests or make decisions about treatment.
That is where comprehensive care can help.
Comprehensive care means your health care team works together to look at your full health picture. Instead of focusing on one symptom or one treatment, your care team considers your diagnosis, medical history, lifestyle, goals and any other health conditions you may have.
The goal is simple: To help you get the right care, from the right specialists, at the right time.
What is comprehensive care?
Comprehensive care is a team-based approach to health care. It brings together different doctors, nurses, therapists and other health professionals who work together to diagnose, treat and support you.
This type of care may happen within one health system, one clinic or across several locations. What matters most is that your care team communicates and coordinates your treatment plan.
Comprehensive care may include:
- Diagnosis and testing
- Medication management
- Surgery, when needed
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Pain management
- Nutrition support
- Behavioral health care
- Preventive care
- Follow-up visits
- Education for you and your family
Comprehensive care does not always mean more care. In many cases, it helps avoid unnecessary tests, treatments or procedures by making sure the whole team understands your needs.
Who is part of a comprehensive care team?
Your care team depends on your condition, symptoms and treatment plan. Some people may only need a primary care provider and one specialist. Others may need several specialists working together.
A comprehensive care team may include:
- Primary care providers
- Medical specialists, such as cardiologists, neurologists, oncologists, pulmonologists or orthopedic specialists
- Surgeons
- Nurses and nurse navigators
- Physician assistants and nurse practitioners
- Physical, occupational or speech therapists
- Pharmacists
- Dietitians
- Social workers
- Behavioral health specialists
- Care coordinators
For example, someone with back pain may start with a primary care provider. Depending on their symptoms, they may also see a spine specialist, physical therapist, pain management specialist or surgeon. Surgery may be an option for some people, but many people improve with nonsurgical care.
Someone recovering from a heart attack may work with a cardiologist, primary care provider, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and cardiac rehabilitation specialists. Together, the team can help manage medications, improve heart health and reduce the risk of future problems.
Why is comprehensive care important?
Many health conditions are connected to other parts of the body. A symptom that seems simple may have more than one possible cause. A treatment that helps one condition may affect another.
Comprehensive care helps your team see the full picture.
This approach can help:
- Improve communication between providers
- Reduce duplicate tests or conflicting treatment plans
- Find treatment options that fit your needs
- Support recovery before, during and after treatment
- Help manage chronic conditions
- Lower the risk of complications
- Make it easier for you to understand your care plan
It can also help you feel less alone. When your care is coordinated, you may have a clearer path forward and a better understanding of what to expect.
How does comprehensive care help patients?
Comprehensive care can make health care easier to navigate. Instead of managing every detail on your own, you may have a team helping coordinate appointments, referrals, test results and next steps.
This can be especially helpful if you:
- Have a complex diagnosis
- Have more than one chronic condition
- Need care from several specialists
- Are considering surgery
- Are recovering from an illness, injury or procedure
- Need help managing medications
- Have symptoms that have not improved
- Need support with lifestyle changes
The team-based approach can also help with shared decision-making. That means you and your care team talk through your options together, including the benefits, risks and possible outcomes of each treatment.
Does comprehensive care always include surgery?
No. Comprehensive care does not always include surgery. In fact, one benefit of team-based care is that it may help identify nonsurgical options when they are appropriate.
Depending on your condition, nonsurgical treatment may include:
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Pain management
- Injections
- Rehabilitation
- Nutrition changes
- Behavioral health support
- Monitoring over time
If surgery is recommended, comprehensive care can still be helpful. Your team can help you prepare for surgery, manage any other health conditions and support your recovery afterward.
Can comprehensive care help lower health care costs?
Comprehensive care may help reduce costs by improving coordination and avoiding care that is not needed. When providers work together, they may be able to reduce duplicate testing, prevent complications and help people manage conditions before they become more serious.
Cost will still depend on your health insurance, diagnosis, treatment plan and where you receive care. But coordinated care can make the process more efficient and easier to understand.
What should you ask your care team?
You can play an active role in your care by asking questions. Consider asking:
- Who is part of my care team?
- Who should I contact with questions?
- What are my treatment options?
- Are there nonsurgical options?
- What are the benefits and risks of each option?
- How will my other health conditions affect my care?
- What can I do at home to support my health?
- What follow-up care will I need?
- How will my providers share updates with each other?
It may also help to bring a list of medications, test results and questions to your appointments.
The bottom line
Comprehensive care is health care that looks at you as a whole person, not just one symptom or diagnosis. By bringing the right providers together, this team-based approach can help improve communication, guide treatment decisions and support your health before, during and after care.
Whether you are managing a new diagnosis, ongoing symptoms or multiple health concerns, Banner Health can help you understand your options and connect with the right care team. Find a Banner Health doctor or provider near you.
Frequently asked questions about comprehensive care
What does comprehensive care mean?
Comprehensive care means your health care team works together to understand your full health picture. This may include your symptoms, diagnosis, medical history, lifestyle, goals and treatment options.
Is comprehensive care the same as coordinated care?
They are closely related. Coordinated care focuses on communication between providers. Comprehensive care is broader. It includes coordination but also looks at prevention, treatment, recovery and support for your overall well-being.
Who needs comprehensive care?
Comprehensive care can help people with complex diagnoses, ongoing symptoms, chronic conditions or health concerns that require more than one specialist. It can also help people who are preparing for surgery or recovering from a serious illness or injury.
Where should I start if I need comprehensive care?
A primary care provider is often a good place to start. They can help assess your symptoms, manage preventive care and connect you with specialists or other support services when needed.
