Dr. Bru ey
“Specialist access allows for improved care across the board, and the process works both ways. Our system allows me to review imaging and history to inform our primary physicians and referring physicians of the need to expedite care for certain patients and conditions, but also to inform those physicians when subspecialty care is not really needed and provide assistance in primary care management of those patients and their conditions,” he says. “ at way I can maximize the e ciency of my schedule to really see patients in a timely fashion. It also improves patient satisfaction by having them avoid visits and referrals and their associated costs when subspecialty care is not really indicated or needed.” Just like in a primary care setting, APCs enhance a specialty practice with their team approach. “As APCs, we allow for the extension of the physician’s ability to manage their patients both in the surgical and clinical settings,” explains Terri Abbott, PA, Scripps Clinic. “ is team approach also brings a more comprehensive and expansive approach to the overall care of the patients. We reinforce the recommendation and treatment plans both surgically and nonsurgically for patient care. Patients seem to appreciate the team approach, especially when we connect with the patient in the clinic and in the surgical setting as the surgical assistant.”
“Even doctors may take a day o or occasionally get sick,” explains Dr. Geary, “so there may be times when your doctor is out of the o ce. However, your health is important every hour of every day. Having multiple providers who know you and understand your health care needs helps to ensure access of care. At Scripps, our team approach includes NPs and PAs.” Bonnie Marblestone, FNP, agrees that the collaborative practice between nurse practitioners and physicians is a true bene t to patients. “APCs increase access of care for the patient. If the physician is unavailable for days or weeks, the NP or PA is usually available to see the patient that same day and provide for the patient’s health care needs in a timely fashion, while also providing excellent care,” she says. “ e APC can also assist the physician in answering patient messages, re lling medications and following up on the care needs of patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. We help to support the physician in providing complete and consistent care of patients.” Specialty Care Done Right When your health needs require specialty care, you can rest assured that the same exceptional teamwork extends to your Scripps specialist o ces. From cardiology to orthopedics and everything in between, Scripps’ specialty departments work in concert with primary care to provide the comprehensive care you have come to expect from Scripps. anks to an integrated electronic health record, primary care physicians can work seamlessly with specialists to coordinate care. “Our electronic medical record and email system allow for direct messaging from primary care physicians to subspecialists. is can signi cantly improve patient access to subspecialty care,” explains James Bru ey, MD, a Scripps Clinic orthopedic surgeon. “Several of our primary physicians use this routinely, which helps me coordinate my care of their patients and allows me to expedite those patients that require more urgent evaluations and treatment recommendations.” Dr. Bru ey adds that this seamless integration between primary care and specialty care signi cantly improves the patient experience.
agrees. “Our APCs are utilized to improve patient access to care and the timeliness of that care,” he says. “ ey are well trained and
extremely e ective at extending our ability to see orthopedic patients. We can use them for independent evaluations when indicated to improve access, and their training allows them to recognize when direct surgeon intervention or more subspecialized assessment is required. In addition, their care of patients allows for improved e ciency with regards to imaging and laboratory testing when indicated. Patients should look at them as extensions of their physicians. ey can oen spend more time to get the nuances of a patient’s condition and their care needs, as our scheduling process a ords them the time to do these assessments.” Whatever your health care needs, you can trust that Scripps has a team for you.
Learn more about Scripps’ comprehensive care team at Scripps.org/SDScrippsCare .
Scripps' integrated network of primary care doctors, APCs and specialists ensures you always have access to the right provider for your health needs.
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN
PATIENT
SPECIALISTS
ADVANCED PRACTICE CLINICIANS
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