It Takes a Village and Time... a Collaborative Case Study

Today's approach to health care presents a challenge to those providers who work with patients with multifaceted complex issues that require the time and the efforts of several clinicians. These patients do not easily fit into a short-term, predetermined mold of care. This is an ongoing issue that warrants further investigation. This article presents a collaborative case study that chronicles the case of a patient who had multiple problems, such as homelessness, depression, substance abuse, anger, and serious emotional and physical scars contributing to a damaged self-image. In this case, three clinicians in three programs collaboratively assisted the patient in his complicated trek toward an improved quality of life.