If you or a loved one experience pain, headaches or other troubling symptoms, identifying their root cause can be challenging. You’re not alone. When it comes to neurological conditions, there’s not always a clear path to diagnosis and treatment. You may need multiple medical tests and appointments along the way. Managing your care can be overwhelming at times, especially if you’re not sure where to start or who can answer your questions.
Step-By-Step Guidance With A Care Navigator
Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land features a unique patient care navigation service, designed to help patients receive the complete care they need from diagnosis and treatment through rehabilitation services — all in one convenient location.
Your first point of contact is a care navigator who helps patients get going in the right direction. Maureen Lall, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, COHN-S, serves as the director for the center, guiding patients dealing with neurological conditions every step of the way. Lall, who works in collaboration with Neuroscience Program Coordinator, Dave Graves, assists patients in scheduling appointments with the appropriate specialist based on their symptoms. The care navigators work behind the scenes to facilitate communication and coordination between the various physician specialists, who work as a team to deliver the best possible care for patients.
Quick Access To Appointments
“We offer expedited appointments, including second opinions, with our highly regarded specialists,” Lall said. “We work hard to ensure that every patient who needs to see a specialist can get an appointment within five business days. Patients are led through a process of assessment and treatment ranging from non-pharmacologic intervention to advanced medical and surgical management.”
A multidisciplinary team of physicians and health care professionals provide a full range of health care services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy, diagnostic imaging, neurological management and interventional pain care. When necessary, surgery tailored to the patient’s unique condition is available from skilled orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons.
“We are fortunate to have a number of knowledgeable, highly trained specialists in the Neuroscience & Spine Center, which enables us to utilize a multidisciplinary approach to patient care,” Lall said. “We help the patient easily navigate that process. At the same time, we help the physicians share information and ideas that can lead to better outcomes for our patients.” The program coordinator makes it a priority to communicate with the referring doctor about a treatment plan.
Personalized Care Makes A Difference
Because every patient has unique needs, the role of a patient care navigator varies from day to day. The navigation team provides assistance and support wherever they can, working directly with patients and their family members to ensure that questions are answered and treatments are on track. Neurological conditions of the brain and spine impact patients and their loved ones in a variety of ways. For those who are struggling with activities of daily living, Graves helps connect patients and their families with the specialists and resources they need to manage their symptoms and improve quality of life.
“Having access to needed services within the community is important to ensuring that patients maintain independence and are able to take advantage of all available resources,” Lall said. “Being able to stay in the community for care means a great deal to our patients. Many of our patients have trusted Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital for years, and they are pleased to learn that we offer the most sophisticated and advanced care possible close to home.”
Care For These Neurological Conditions
Our team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, orthopedic spine surgeons, therapists and interventional pain specialists treat a variety of disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and memory disorders, back and neck pain, epilepsy and seizures, headaches and migraines, muscle and nerve injuries and much more.
Schedule An Appointment
Having a care navigator can ease your worries, provide expedited appointments and help you move forward with confidence. Request an appointment with a specialist at the Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land online at houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl or call 281.274.7979.
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