2009-The Physician of the Future English and Catalan

F UNDACIÓN E DUCACIÓN M ÉDICA (FEM) 64 2.6. Leading the health team To patients a)ictedwith chronic and o%en incurable illnesses, physicians ought to o'er all the needed support to mitigate their impairments, counsel to help them live with their limitations, advice on the best available care options, and protection from miraculous measures o%en o'ered with the best intentions and the worst information. With chronic conditions more action is not necessarily linked to better care; rather the opposite. Nevertheless, continuity of care is a must for these patients. Continuity of care should avoid discontinuities and fragmentation, something that nowadays does not really prevail in our health care systems. In light of which, physicians must show willingness to cooperate with each other as well as with other health professionals who o'er invaluable specialised services. To this end, physicians must be competent in and willing to delegate, capable of teamwork and prepared to limit the scope of their professional roles. Furthermore, physicians must prevent patient dependency, fostering autonomy and helping them to play an active role in managing their conditions.