If a patient is to be managed medically (e.g., chronic opioid therapy) by one of our pain physicians, they will first be seen for an initial evaluation by the MD and one of the clinic psychologists for a psychological evaluation and psychometric testing. We are currently operating at a 4-week delay for new evaluations. Typically, medications are not prescribed at the first visit.
Since treating pain only with medications is like inflating only one tire on a car, we require every patient to participate in the multi-faceted adjunct treatment recommendations:
- A physical therapy evaluation for a home-based exercise plan, recommendatiosn for TENS or pool therapy.
- Follow-up appointments with the psychologist to monitor medication compliance, functional progress, and mood status.
- Individual psychotherapy if necessary for mood management or coping skills training.
- Participation in the 6-session course of biweekly outpatient pain classes.
The Doleys Clinic
A Comprehensive Pain Management Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama
Outpatient Medical Clinic
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Referring physicians!
If you would like to retain medical management of the patient, we are more than happy to provide consultation services. Our physicians could conduct an annual patient consult and offer recommendations for changes in the medication regimen.
The patient can also participate in the non-medical components of our clinic -- psychological services, education, physical therapy -- and continue under the community physician's medical care.
