Does anyone's OS clinic offer a pscyhological support system?

[HyperZen]

I'm thinking of putting together a proposal to take to the case managers at my OS's hospital to create a better patient support system. (My OS is part of a huge ortho clinic that essentially keeps the hospital there functioning.) The more experiences I have with the recovery process and with you all on this board, the more I realize how helpful it would be to have a more holistic approach to recovery that includes mental, empotional and social support.

I'm thinking of a combination mentor program (with volunteers who have actually had a TKR), group therapy and coaching program where a patient has access to resources to help address a lot of the struggles we are all facing here. As we know, it can be intensely frustrating, depressing and isolating once you are released from the hospital. They seem to do a good job getting us in and getting the surgery done, but not so well on the other side...which just so happens to be the gateway to the rest of our lives! We are so lucky and thankful to have found one another on BoneSmart, but think how great it would be to be able to pick up a phone and vent to your mentor/coach if you are struggling or have a question? We need to do a better job taking care of our whole selves. The docs can fix our parts, but systems need to be put in place to support our full recovery, or the parts is just parts (as an old TV commercial used to say.)

Wondering if anyone has heard of such a thing or knows of any other clinics in other areas that do such a thing? I'm also open to ideas from all of you amazing, smart and fiesty folk!

 

[Linda2]

I have never heard of such a program, but I think it would be a great idea! One of the joys of my life was mentoring intern teachers--many still keep in touch.

 

[Texas]

Hey Jill i agree i thnk that would be great big oper the more info and help people have th better...........you go girl......)thats really sweet........

 

[loggon]

My health insurance offers that, but I have never needed to use it. Bonesmart has been there when I had a question.

To bad all Orthos don't know about Bonesmart. It is the place to be when in need.

 

[cotton1958]

Good point loggon. I thought about telling my PT about this site. But then realized, they must all have their own support and websites, and this is the patient side. Plus I didn't want him to see what I typed here.

:evil:

 

[cindy88fan]

I did tell my OS and PT about Bonesmart. My OS went to the sight and was really impressed by it. He made little brochures that he gives to his patients and at the bottom he posted the Bonesmart website! How cool is that!

 

[mtngal67]

If my OS office has something like that, they sure don't make it a practice to let us know about it! I do have to say he has a GREAT nurse in his office who takes care of surgery and post surgery questions.

Gale
RTKR 10/5/09

 

[Josephine]

Wondering if anyone has heard of such a thing or knows of any other clinics in other areas that do such a thing? I'm also open to ideas from all of you amazing, smart and fiesty folk!

I'm wondering if any OS's have ever heard of such a need!

I'm thinking of putting together a proposal to take to the case managers at my OS's hospital to create a better patient support system. (My OS is part of a huge ortho clinic that essentially keeps the hospital there functioning.) The more experiences I have with the recovery process and with you all on this board, the more I realize how helpful it would be to have a more holistic approach to recovery that includes mental, emotional and social support.

You trying to put BS out of business?

Seriously though - that's a great idea. Bit like an AA system of mentors.

To bad all Orthos don't know about Bonesmart. It is the place to be when in need.

Good point loggon. I thought about telling my PT about this site. But then realized, they must all have their own support and websites, and this is the patient side. Plus I didn't want him to see what I typed here. :evil:

The more the merrier! You could always print off this BoneSmart Poster to print off and take it to them. And so long as they don't know your user name, how will they know it's you?

I did tell my OS and PT about Bonesmart. My OS went to the sight and was really impressed by it. He made little brochures that he gives to his patients and at the bottom he posted the Bonesmart website! How cool is that!

Very cool - and thank you so much! What's your surgeon's name and location? I'm sure Richard Warner (owner of the site) would like to thank him!

 

[HyperZen]

Would never want to put BoneSmart out of business! It's been a lifesaver for me. I'm just trying to build on the idea and augment it with an in-person touch. Right, like AA. LOL, Josephine!

But I love the idea of providing the BS info to my clinic as well. That's now on my list of things to do!

 

[Jamie]

I wish more surgeons would understand how helpful this type of support is. I talked about BoneSmart twice to my (excellent) surgeon, but it just wasn't on his radar to worry about recovery support.

I don't think there is any worry about putting us out of work here at BoneSmart! What mentor would be available in the middle of the night??? And where else could you chat with people from all over the world that share your joint replacement experience. I think there is plenty of room for all the support resources that can be developed.

Do let us know how this works out, okay? I'm interested!

 

[tom67]

Exellent Point Jamie, Middle of the night consults, are just never gonna happen.
I really Appreciate not getting a bill, when I have a question or just want to whine about something to a WORLDWIDE! audience. You are so right Jill, very little
attention is paid to the emotional side of recovery. Joint replacement Is a life altering procedure. Not only for the patient, but just as much of an adjustment
for loved ones who care for us! Thank God for Bonesmart, and for all the caring
and understanding people that Use It! May this forum continue to be a source
of Invaluble and Insightful Information. But Much more Importantly!! To be a Place where you can reach out to someone, or someone can reach out
to you, for support that only another Bonesmartie who has "been There"
can offer. sorry for Rambling Jill, My Best Wishes,:D

 

[skigirl]

Jill,

I think this is an excellant idea. I know that when i went in for my 4 week check up, and told the doc that I was really depressed, he just squirmed in his chair. Later, I thought I would check up on my meds and I looked at Tramdol--Ultram---and depression is one of its side effects. I stopped the Tramadol and two days later, I felt like a new woman. Now, why would a doc who prescribes a drug often not know a common side effect?

Once all the pain meds cleared my system and I switched to Aleve, it was like opening a door for me---life seemed so much brighter.

Also, I was not prepared for the amount of disability that I found after the tkr--I never dreamed that I would spend two weeks in my house!! I could not drive for two weeks---had to get rides to pt, which was a pain in the neck. Also, the fatigue was unexpected. My primary doc saw that I was anemic--my surgeon completely missed it, he kept telling me that the fatigue was normal. Balooney. By four weeks, the fatigue shold be lifting--but when I tried to hike at four weeks, I could not breathe.

Support groups sound great--but there has to be a moderator for them to work. The internet has really taken over that job=--so, giving the Bonesmart address to paitents is a better idea than support groups--and, after all, you are not going to call a mentor at 2 aM--this website is always open and someone is always on too!!

Good luck with your project---a good use of your time right now. Kelly

 

[Josephine]

I saw my surgeon today and he asked me if I was still on the forum! I told him I'd probably be on here till they put me in a pine box! Even then, Richard Warner would probably send me a self powered laptop to take with me so I could carry on!

He also said he'd had several patients tell him they'd read the forum - so come on you Sunderland people! Front up and make yourselves known!