An approach to managing patients with complex Co-morbidites for family physicians: the SBAR4 model
- Author:
Lee Kheng HOCK
1
,
2
;
Low Lian LENG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Co-morbidities; Complex Care; SBAR; Aging
- From:The Singapore Family Physician 2017;43(3):6-10
- CountrySingapore
- Language:english
- Abstract: Providing comprehensive and continuing care to patients is the forte of family physicians. The burden of providing such care to patients with complicated co-morbidities is increasing rapidly in ageing populations. Primary care systems around the world are ill equipped to face such a challenge. Family physicians need to hone their skills in this area of care. In this article, we introduce the SBAR4 model and propose it as a framework for managing patients with complex co-morbidities. This model is easy to learn and use by family physicians as it is based on the familiar SBAR model of clinical communication and Pendleton’s 7 Tasks of consultation. We believe that the SBAR4 will assist the clinician to assess patients with complex co-morbidities and map out a comprehensive care plan that can be easily understood by a multidisciplinary team caring for such patients.
