Like many seniors, our dad had a large group of specialists treating him.  Each specialist, working independently, prescribed medication.  We found that no one was really "in charge," and we desperately needed someone to oversee our dad’s care.  We needed one doctor to act as the "quarterback."

The "quarterback" is the one doctor to whom all of the specialists report – results of all tests, diagnoses, procedures, recommendations, and medications.  The one doctor who critically evaluates the list of drugs, challenging why each is necessary and how they all work together.  This is the doctor who focuses on the overall health plan, instead of just a segment as a specialist would.

Typically this would be the role of a primary care physician.  If the primary care physician is not fulfilling this role, you might first have a conference with him or her explaining your need for a medical-team leader.  If it still feels as though the situation won’t work, you definitely need to look to another doctor.  

In our situation, we realized that our dad’s cardiologist would make the best “quarterback,” so we discussed the idea with him, making him fully aware of what our expectations were.  He not only agreed to take on the job, but notified the other doctors and even told the original primary care physician about the new arrangement.  We were right about him – he was the perfect leader.