Five pain management physicians discuss collaborative patient care, including which specialists they work with and how the consultations elevate the overall standard of care.
Marc E. Lynch, DO, medical director, Casa Colina Surgery Center (Chino, Calif.): We utilize specialists in all fields of medicine, from psychiatrists to neurosurgeons, physical medicine and rehab specialists, manipulating osteopathic physicians and all types of surgeon specialties. Each individual clinician has something different to offer our patients. Each patient requires an individualized approach and their own treatment plan that provides them with the best outcome and maximum benefit, in addition to our own treatments, biofeedback/cognitive therapy and group therapy. These specialists and treatment options allow us to provide individualized and comprehensive treatment plans for each patient.
Timothy Spencer, DO, Saginaw (Mich.) Valley Neurosurgery: We consult with other specialists because no one service can address all of a patient's issues. We consult with osteopathic manipulation specialists, physical therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists and behavioral health specialists. We all work together as a team to address the patient's pain concerns.
Sudhir Vaidya, MD, director of sports medicine and pain management, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital (White Plains, N.Y.): We consult with neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists and the patients' own family doctors as well as physical and occupational therapists and complimentary therapists. Chronic pain patients need a multidisciplinary approach, and these consultations allow us to provide them with the most appropriate and best care possible.
Meeru Sathi-Welsch, MD, Long Island Neuroscience Specialists (East Patchogue, N.Y.): I consult with neurosurgeons to see if the patient would benefit from surgery or a special type of procedure to help with pain. I also consult with psychiatrists if the patient has psychiatric illnesses such as depression or anxiety, as these can exacerbate pain symptoms if not controlled. More care also has to be taken in prescribing opioids for these patients.
Uzma Parvez, MD, Elite Pain Management (Union, N.J.): We practice a multi-disciplinary approach for patients with acute and chronic pain. Other specialties that play a role include the primary care physician that helps manage the other co-morbidity; neurologists or physiatrists for associated symptoms of headaches or if EMG/NCV testing is required; orthopedic for possible coexisting joint pathology; neurosurgeons for surgical treatment options; and physical therapists for increasing mobility, strength and increasing the optimal level of activity. Occasionally, we have to get the cardiologist involved based on any history of cardiac events and if the patients are on blood thinners.
This is an ongoing series which will feature five pain management physicians' responses to questions about the specialty.
Next week's question is: What is the most promising new procedure for pain management?
Submit responses to taryn@beckershealthcare.com before April 3.
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Marc E. Lynch, DO, medical director, Casa Colina Surgery Center (Chino, Calif.): We utilize specialists in all fields of medicine, from psychiatrists to neurosurgeons, physical medicine and rehab specialists, manipulating osteopathic physicians and all types of surgeon specialties. Each individual clinician has something different to offer our patients. Each patient requires an individualized approach and their own treatment plan that provides them with the best outcome and maximum benefit, in addition to our own treatments, biofeedback/cognitive therapy and group therapy. These specialists and treatment options allow us to provide individualized and comprehensive treatment plans for each patient.
Timothy Spencer, DO, Saginaw (Mich.) Valley Neurosurgery: We consult with other specialists because no one service can address all of a patient's issues. We consult with osteopathic manipulation specialists, physical therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists and behavioral health specialists. We all work together as a team to address the patient's pain concerns.
Sudhir Vaidya, MD, director of sports medicine and pain management, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital (White Plains, N.Y.): We consult with neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists and the patients' own family doctors as well as physical and occupational therapists and complimentary therapists. Chronic pain patients need a multidisciplinary approach, and these consultations allow us to provide them with the most appropriate and best care possible.
Meeru Sathi-Welsch, MD, Long Island Neuroscience Specialists (East Patchogue, N.Y.): I consult with neurosurgeons to see if the patient would benefit from surgery or a special type of procedure to help with pain. I also consult with psychiatrists if the patient has psychiatric illnesses such as depression or anxiety, as these can exacerbate pain symptoms if not controlled. More care also has to be taken in prescribing opioids for these patients.
Uzma Parvez, MD, Elite Pain Management (Union, N.J.): We practice a multi-disciplinary approach for patients with acute and chronic pain. Other specialties that play a role include the primary care physician that helps manage the other co-morbidity; neurologists or physiatrists for associated symptoms of headaches or if EMG/NCV testing is required; orthopedic for possible coexisting joint pathology; neurosurgeons for surgical treatment options; and physical therapists for increasing mobility, strength and increasing the optimal level of activity. Occasionally, we have to get the cardiologist involved based on any history of cardiac events and if the patients are on blood thinners.
This is an ongoing series which will feature five pain management physicians' responses to questions about the specialty.
Next week's question is: What is the most promising new procedure for pain management?
Submit responses to taryn@beckershealthcare.com before April 3.
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