A Valuable New Resource for You
and Your Patients
January 2006
In November, Mercy introduced the Mercy Institute of Neuroscience—Dedicated care for your brain and spine (MIND). As an institute, MIND will provide accessible, comprehensive, centralized evaluation and treatment of patients with neurological disorders.
At times physicians are faced with patients who have challenging, complicated neurological symptoms. In fact, every one in three persons suffers from a neurological disorder. Often, the physician is forced to make independent treatment decisions whereas input from various specialty physicians might be advantageous. For example, a common scenario for a Primary Care Physician (PCP) with a patient with low back pain might be:
PCP sees patient – pain Rx given
Pain continues – PCP refers to PT/OT
Patient experience no improvement – returns to PCP and perhaps another Rx is given
PCP orders MRI
Results of MRI are provided to PCP – PCP has to then decide on the next steps (interventional/surgical referral) or have the patient return in a few months for re-evaluation
MIND’s approach to the above scenario is collaborative, interdisciplinary and streamlined. MIND’s goal is to provide physicians with a diagnosis as well as a treatment plan for their patients. MIND also offers both the physician and patient a coordinated delivery of care with a continual evaluation of the patient’s neurological condition and response to therapy. Benefits to patients include:
Coordinated, multi-disciplinary care
“One-stop-shop” referral to MIND vs. multiple, separate clinics
Individual, tailored care
Decreased wait times for appointments
Finally, MIND offers patients a website with education and resources related to their neurological conditions. This website also contains information on the practitioners involved with the institute. In the future, MIND’s website offerings may include bulletin boards, chat rooms and support group information. For more information on MIND, visit www.mercyhealthsystem.org/mind, or call (608) 756-6830, or toll-free (866) 901-MIND.
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