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Michael’s eConsult saved time and money
Thirty years as a professional tennis instructor had taken their toll on
Michael’s back, and a spine-fusion procedure was inevitable.
Michael feared that the procedure could affect his active career,
however, and decided to seek a second opinion from Mayo Clinic.
While it would be physically and financially challenging to travel
to their facility in Rochester, Minnesota, Michael felt it was worth
the risk.
Fortunately, Michael’s neurosurgeon at the Methodist Brain and
Spine Institute could consult directly with a Mayo Clinic specialist
by using an eConsult. The Mayo Clinic specialist was able to evaluate
Michael’s imaging results and collaborate with his surgeon on the best
course of action.
Michael was thrilled about the convenience of the eConsult — and
grateful to skip the hours of travel.
Turns out the Mayo Clinic physician agreed with the neurosurgeon’s
suggestions and was able to speak to the medications and physical
therapy regimens that had helped in similar cases.
This extra perspective gave Michael the reassurance he needed. He
scheduled his surgery at Methodist Richardson for the following week.
In no time, he was back on the court and back pain–free.
Javier found tools for change
Javier, a father of two, had just been diagnosed with
type 2 diabetes. He and his wife, Elena, decided they
wanted to start making healthy changes for the whole
family, especially when it came to nutrition.
In addition to other resources through the
Methodist Diabetes Self-Management Program, Javier
learned that he has access to Mayo Clinic’s library of
more than 2,500 education materials in English (and
nearly 300 in Spanish).
Mayo Clinic physicians produced the materials to
help patients understand various conditions and their
treatments so that patients could be more involved in
their health care.
As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network,
Methodist is able to share Mayo Clinic’s education
materials with patients like Javier. And proven
resources, like the latest tips on controlling diabetes,
helped Javier and Elena make positive changes for
their family.
“This collaboration allows Methodist Richardson physicians to tap
into the resources of Mayo Clinic, specifically their expertise with
particularly challenging medical cases. We can consult with these
sub-sub-sub-specialists in the field and yet keep the patient local,
where they don’t have to travel and start all over with a new team.
“Mayo Clinic has also set the bar for a lot of best practices and
evidence-based medicine, so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel
within our own practices and in management of patients. They’ve
paved the road in terms of the quality efforts that we’re also trying to
implement. This doesn’t bypass our own resources but just enhances
what we have. It’s literally a collaboration of minds.”
— Carol Norton, MD, FACOG, medical staff president, Methodist Richardson
physicians of Mayo Clinic, ensuring world-class diagnostics and treatment.
Learn how we’re working together at MethodistHealthSystem.org/Mayo.
Two respected names, one purpose. You.
SM
Methodist Richardson Medical Center
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Spring 2015
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