The Mellen Center staff believes in developing lifetime partnerships with its patients.
At the Mellen Center, patients may meet with one or more members of the care team, depending on individual needs. On the first visit, patients typically meet with a neurologist, who is primarily responsible for managing the patient’s medical care. At future visits, patients will also meet with a clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant, who will discuss any concerns about MS and offer suggestions for special problems related to the disease, including spasticity, pain, bowel, bladder or skin problems. The clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant works closely with the neurologist to carry out the individual’s care plan.
After a thorough medical history and complete physical evaluation, the Mellen Center team develops an individualized care plan to meet the patient’s specific needs. In addition to elements recommended by each member of the Mellen Center team, a care plan also may include specific components requested by the patient, family members or a family doctor.
Follow up visits are scheduled with one of the clinical nurse specialists or physician assistants who will evaluate your current medical status and discuss treatment plans and options with you and one of the Mellen Center physicians. Additional appointments may be scheduled with a physical or occupational therapist, a psychologist, or a social worker, if necessary.
Medical treatments include medications to alleviate symptoms and control the progression of the disease. Experimental therapies involving new drugs also are available. Most of the time, the staff provides treatments in the outpatient setting. Of the 15,000 patient visits annually, only about 150 require hospitalization.
Team members meet regularly to discuss the individual’s progress and fine-tune care plans as needed. Team meetings are an effective means to monitor the flare-ups and remissions that are characteristic of MS. Team members help patients and their families prepare for these changes.
