Post-Operative Follow Up Care

[Guest guest]

,

You wrote, " I am still seeing the surgeon for post op care...will

probably seem him continually throughout the remainder of the

year ... the docs and I have known each other for so long ... if I

had a serious problem ... I wouldn't worry about who would provide

care. .. This allows me a lot of security and comfort. "

I appreciate and agree with your passionate opinion re: postoperative

follow up care. It is unfortunate that many surgeons do not consider

themselves a viable member of the health care team, often dismissing

themselves after closing the surgical wound, well, after discharge.

I am fortunate that Indiana University Hospital takes a proactive

approach to health care planing. Shortly after I was diagnosed my GI

I was referred to a pancreatic surgeon. It wasn't long before I found

myself with an interdisciplinary health care team, all who took an

equal and vested interest in the care plan decision. The most

important member of the care plan team was, of course, myself, the

patient, as you should be, too.

Within the last five years every health care provider I have seen has

been introduced to the other members of the care plan team. Sometimes

some may have commented that there are too many players involved and

it makes it difficult to manage a certain aspect of my health. That

may be the fact for that provider, but the fact of the matter is that

I am a more than an isolated body system, more than someone with

pancreatitis, more than a diabetic, etc. Every care plan decision

impacts the rest of the care plan and ultimately the desired outcome,

which for me is the optimum level of wellness possible. That may not

be the absence of disease, since living with chronic illness requires

the redefining of health. Therefore every member of the healthcare

team is aware of and required to consult the other members prior to

initiating any significant change, particularly medications.

I may not have required surgery for several years, but I still have

an annual consult with the surgeon and every other member of the

health care team. Pancreatitis is a disease that I live with, I

manage the symptoms on a day to day basis. The way I do this was

determined through a comprehensive diagnostic work-up, evaluation,

and the development of a 'program' that seems to work. it may not be

necessary to see the specialist who was directly involved with the

development of the particular plan, but that specialist will be the

only one who will alter that intervention. It is important to me to

know which doctor will be called for whatever emergency or

complication I have. As you said, , that provides you with a

sense of security and comfort. My doctors and other providers have

all said they appreciate that I take the time out to make an

appointment and coming for an annual visit even if I am not having a

problem, just so they can reacquaint themselves with what's going on

with me. Then, they are more prepared to adequately provide care for

me when necessary. It also has provided an opportunity for them to

identify early problems, as well as offer new interventions that have

been developed in the past year.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International

[Guest guest]

I too went from weekly x2 to two weekly x3 then monthly x2 visits

after my surgery, and am now on 6 monthly, unless I have problems,

which I am to call straight away, and they will work me into the

doctor's schedule as soon as they can. Usually within the next few

days. My doctor also gave me his email address in case I need any

info, that I don't deem a consult necessary for.