physiatrist?????????

[rollin64]

i've tried both dr's i see on a regular basis. i can't get a referral to see a physiatrist. it's crazy. nobody here even heard of one. i didn't know of one til i joined carecure. what can i do? they won't see me without a referral. we're just friggin pissed cause i'm in constANT PAIN AND GET to a friggin dr. i found a couple thAT are out of town but what good is it if i can't get to see them?

any help would be greatly appreciated.........

[SCI-Nurse]

Tell them you want a rehab doctor who specializes in SCI, pain etc...Do you have to have a referral? Can you ook on the list of providers for one?
Do you live near Shepherd?Cal the nearest rehab faciity near you and ask them for a referral.

CWO

[Eileen]

This may be a condition of your insurance, I am not sure, but when I last saw a psysiatrist I just called his office directly and made an appointment. Once I got there the asked who my primary was and made it look like she had referred me, but the truth is I did it on my own and she found out about it after the fact.

[SCI-Nurse]

Check this list. Ask them if they also had an additional board certification in SCI Medicine:

http://www.e-aapmr.org/imis/imisonli...t.cfm?State=GA

(KLD)

[rollin64]

this list is where i called a doc from. the one i called said he only sees new patients by referral only. i only tried one, maybe i needa try the others. closest to me are tifton and thomasville. if all else fails i guess i can try calling shepherds center for some help. i'm having trouble getting my medical records from them so dunno how much i'll get outta them.



all physiatrists aren't board certified in sci?

[SCI-Nurse]

No. Physiatrists, by definition, are board certified in PM&R (physical medicine and rehabilitation). Those who have particular interest in SCI may then do what is called a "sub-board" or additional board certification exam (if they qualify) in Spinal Cord Medicine. The Spinal Cord Medicine board certification can also be taken by urologists, internists or other specialists who already are board certified in their specialty but also have the required additional experience or expertise in SCI care. I know several urologists who have it, as well as one colorectal surgeon, in addition to a number of physiatrists.

https://www.abpmr.org/

Unfortunately they do not publish a list of those who have completed the certification on-line. You can check for board certification for specific physicians here: https://www.abms.org/WC/login.aspx which is ths American Board of Medical Specialities. You must register on the ABMS website to use the search function.

Call more on the list. Not all physiatrists have the Spinal Cord Medicine certification. Not all physiatrists do primary care or take patients on self-referral.

You will have much more success in getting your Shephard records if they are requested by a physician (even the ones you have now). Just get them to agree to get you a copy once they receive theirs. They will need to use the appropriate forum (which you will need to sign) and request all records, including Xrays, MRIs, etc. (which usually come on a CD-ROM now days). Shephard will NOT be allowed to provide you any records they received from the original hospital(s) where you received care when first injured. These would have to be separately requested directly from those hospitals.

(KLD)

[rollin64]

thanks kld. you're such a big help. i'll try these things and look over the website an see what happens next.

[rollin64]

okay....

finally got some records from shepherds. they sent 2 pages from there and a whole book full of records from my hospital here, which i already have. BIG HELP, haha.

anyways...i did get a referral to a physiatrist [david miller] an hour away but it'll work. i'm looking for advice on things to ask/tell him that would benefit me. i was gonna take these records i have plus i have some mri pics of my neck from 2003.

[rollin64]

should this be moved to the care forum for more suggestions?

[kenf]

the hospital gave me my Cats and MRI's on CD's. lot better the dragging huge X-rays around. i had a pile here that was , no bull , about 4" high and they were the big ones. they also gave me the info from the time i was put in the chopper till i left 4 months later. thats how i knew the chopper made it to the hospital in 17 minutes , lift off to touch down. thats a hour and 15 minute drive from were i was hurt. tell them you want all your X-rays on CD's. when i'm bored i look them over. can barely see the T-4 vert touching my cord. crazy.