The
region's patients are served by a health care team that works
collaboratively to provide a continuum of care for each and
every patient - from newborns to the elderly. That can mean
requiring the care of physicians and nurses as well as a wider
variety of services - from physiotherapy, occupational or
respiratory therapy to dietetic supervision, psychological
consultations or the advice and support of social work staff.
The following is a list of some of the health care professionals
that may play a role in your care while you are a patient
in a River Valley Health facility.
Click to find out more about the role each plays in providing
comprehensive patient care.
Dietitians
Dietitians are trained to advise you on food, diet and nutrition.
Good nutrition is important for treatment, healing, growth and development.
The dietitian works closely with other members of the health care
team to help meet your nutritional needs. While in hospital, you
may be on a special diet for a medical condition, recovery from
surgery or you may need supplements to improve nutrition. Please
let your nurse know if you have special food needs due to allergies
or for religious or cultural reasons. If you need a special diet
when you go home, the dietitian will advise you.
Ethics
Consultant
The ethics consultant helps patient, family, friends and staff
make decisions about difficult treatment issues. If you would
like to talk to the ethics consultant, ask your nurse to arrange
this.
Medical
Staff
All patients are assigned an attending doctor responsible for
their medical care. Doctors conduct physical examinations of patients.
They order laboratory and other tests and make diagnoses. They
prescribe medicines and treatments for disease, disorders and
injuries. Residents and medical students may be involved in your
care under the supervision of your doctor. When you want information
about your care, talk to your doctor.
Nursing
Staff
Nurses plan, deliver and evaluate your nursing care. Nurses will
help you learn about your care and communicate with other members
of the health care team. If you have questions or concerns, please
ask your nurse.
Occupational
Therapists
Occupational therapists work with patients of all ages who because
of physical or emotional problems have difficulty managing their
daily activities. They assess the degree to which your current
problems affect your ability to do daily tasks such as personal
care, household work or leisure activities. Following assessment,
the occupational therapist will help you learn new ways of doing
daily tasks and arrange for equipment to help you perform tasks
that you can no longer do independently.
Pharmacists
and Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians provide the medication you
receive in the hospital. Pharmacists work with you and members
of the health care team to make sure you receive the right medication
at the right time. Their duties include counseling patients and
their families on their drug therapy, as well as speaking on your
behalf to community pharmacists.
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists have a detailed understanding of how the body
works and are specially educated and trained to assess and improve
a patient's movement, physical function and to relieve pain. A
physiotherapist may prescribe and teach you exercises or use a
variety of treatments including heat, cold, electrical stimulation,
acupuncture, and manual mobilization.
Psychologists
Psychologists assess and treat emotional problems. A psychologist
can help you understand and cope with your emotions, such as sadness,
anger or fear. They may also help you manage stress and pain.
Psychologists also test memory and other thinking skills, as well
as assist with problems associated with these skills. Psychologists
are available at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in
Fredericton.
Respiratory
Therapists
Respiratory therapists work with the health care team to help
manage patient's breathing and breathing support equipment. They
assess, treat and provide education for patients with breathing
problems caused by asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and other diseases.
Respiratory therapists deal with a wide range of people from newborns
to the elderly.
Social
Workers
Social workers help patients and their families deal with the
stresses caused by illness and with being in the hospital. They
also help family members talk with one another about their needs
and concerns. Social workers can give you information on help
that is available in your community. Please ask your nurse or
physician if you would like to speak with the social worker.
Speech
Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Speech language pathologists and audiologists test people
of all ages who have problems with the way they talk, hear or
understand. They use special procedures to help people hear and
speak better. Speech language pathologists may also help people
who have problems with eating and swallowing. Audiology services
are only available at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital
in Fredericton.