Patients afflicted with chronic rare diseases require a team of medical professionals and specialists to treat their conditions. The Rare Disease Resources Foundation (RDRF) adopts a Professional approach, as opposed to a Patient-centered one, to address these complex medical cases. Depending on the specific medical ailment, the clinical team may consist of various specialists such as nephrologists, gastroenterologists, geneticists, internists, ophthalmologists, pharmacists, dieticians, social workers and other healthcare professionals. 

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 Patients who seek assistance from disparate practices for each field may experience a lack of coordinated care. In addition, children with chronic rare diseases often face starting anew with respect to their provider-patient relationship and treatment plans when they "age out" of their childhood healthcare providers and require adult care.