ABSTRACT
Individuals with a chronic disease or a terminal illness often receive care in a variety of healthcare settings, while most therapists only practice in one specific care setting (e.g. outpatient, wellness center, hospital). In order to provide holistic, patient-centered care, the therapist must have a comprehensive understanding of the various care settings and what the patient might experience. This will be essential to improve transitions and handover of care from one setting to the next in order to provide good clinical outcomes and minimize anxiety and distress. This chapter will discuss the therapist’s role in a variety of care settings, including community wellness centers, outpatient care, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home care, and hospices. Common barriers and opportunities to care for these individuals within each setting will be described including possible strategies to advocate for an individual patient and to improve the healthcare system at an operational level.
