The doctor as the leader of the patient and his family

Care of the chronically ill patient requires the involvement of both multitherapeutic team consisting of doctors, therapists, physiotherapists, carers and the patient himself and his family. However, the most important function in the process of treatment, which leading doctor meets, is this role can be described as the leader of the group therapy. Work and involvement of therapeutic group in therapeutic process of the chronically ill patient's care is called teamwork. Effective team should have a clearly defined aim, which should be committed to the achievement of all members. In the treatment group which cares for chronically ill patients, their aim should be to improve the health and quality of life. In the treatment group, effective leadership is a vital element in the road to health and welfare of the patient. Each team, including therapeutic, requires an efficient leader. The leader of this group should be the patient's doctor. The leader of the group is responsible for the effectiveness of the entire team. One of his tasks is understood for all communication. The leading doctor should be able in a precise manner to shape the course of the communication in group. There are in fact some difficulties resulting from the existence of different types of patients, disease duration, degree of patient's knowledge about their disease and the patient's personal involvement in the healing process. Treating the chronically ill one care as a team work increases the chance of achieving the aim of improving the health status of the patient. The leading doctor should inspire commitment of the patient and his family, and thus to fulfill their leadership role.