Recapturing the Team Approach to Vascular Care

Background: The care of the vascular patient remains decentralized rather than coordinated. Methods: We reviewed the current state of practice and published competency and care documents created by vascular professional societies. Results: Vascular professional societies routinely and repeatedly endorse both a team approach and the competency of specialists from disparate training backgrounds. The care of the vascular patient does not always reflect these public endorsements. Conclusions: Centering the vascular patient as the mode of organization of care should improve care processes, expertise brought to bear, and outcomes.