Who is primarily responsible for creating and following a care plan?

The interdisciplinary team is primarily responsible for creating and following a care plan because it comprises various healthcare professionals who collaborate to assess a patient’s needs and design a comprehensive approach to their care. This team typically includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and other specialists who contribute their expertise to ensure that all aspects of the patient's health and wellness are considered. By working together, they can coordinate services, share insights from their respective fields, and adjust the care plan as needed to better meet the patient’s evolving needs.

While nursing assistants play an important role in implementing aspects of the care plan and monitoring the patient's condition, they do not generally have the authority or the comprehensive training necessary to design an entire care plan independently. Similarly, registered nurses are integral to the process and often spearhead the development of care plans, but their work is typically done in conjunction with input from the entire interdisciplinary team. Lastly, while patients are encouraged to participate in their own care and communicate their preferences and concerns, they are not equipped to formulate a complete care plan on their own without the guidance of healthcare professionals.