Thorough review of values and goals of care
Our extensive experience shows that the only way to ensure high quality medical decisions are being made is for a fully informed patient and family to participate in a shared decision making process with their health care provider. To this end, we strongly encourage family conferences between our patients, their families, caregivers and our team consisting of an MD plus Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physicians Assistant (PA).
Relationship
The doctor–patient relationship has been and remains a keystone of our care, the medium in which healing happens.
Comprehensive review of medical history
The medical interview is the major medium of health care. Increasing data suggest that patients activated in the medical encounter to ask questions and to participate in their care do better biologically, in quality of life, and have higher satisfaction.
Physical exams and ongoing diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions
Many of our patients are frail. Timely and frequent assessments of changes in health status are critical to the wellbeing and quality of life of our patients. Our highly trained staff is able to assess these changes during every visit.
Age appropriate preventive care, including flu shots and immunizations
We provide yearly flu shots. We coordinate care with our facility partners to provide other immunizations such as pneumococcal and shingles vaccines.
Review of medications, and management of refills
Did you know that the average 75 year old has three chronic conditions and uses five prescription drugs? Many of our patients come to us taking 15 or more medications! A consequence of multiple medications is that we may be overmedicated and experience adverse reactions, such as depression, anxiety, confusion, grogginess and falls. One of our primary aims is therefore a regular and careful review of all the medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements our patients may be using. Management of appropriate medications through timely refills is also our priority.