Dr. Long Relishes Role As Physician Champion
When NorthBay Healthcare leadership first started to discuss the idea of applying to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Dr. James Long admits he was the biggest skeptic in the room.
But today, as physician champion for the collaboration, he’s the biggest advocate of the relationship.
What was the turning point?
“When the Mayo Clinic sent their initial team out to NorthBay to explore the idea of a collaboration, it was obvious what an extensive organization they have — their scope, their teaching activities, their research — it’s a very impressive package.”
After that, NorthBay’s medical director for medical oncology since 2002, has invested numerous hours working on committees, handling conference calls, testing programs and now hitting the road with Teresa Langley, NorthBay’s service line development director for Oncology and Neuroscience. Together the pair is rolling out NorthBay’s Mayo Clinic Care Network roadshow to our 100-plus primary and specialty care providers, answering questions and providing support along the way.
In all, Dr. Long and Teresa plan 16 department visits during July and into August. They’re giving Dr. Long a chance to reconnect with many of the physicians he’s met throughout the years, and also to meet those new to NorthBay.
“The goal is to make them all comfortable with using the programs,” he explained. “We have some amazing tools at our fingertips, and it’s in the best interest of our patients that we use them to their full extent.”
AME (AskMayoExpert), for example, is a just a click away and allows the physician to consult the Mayo Clinic’s database for management protocols and care guidelines.
Also, eConsults are a powerful way to affirm a diagnosis or answer a specific clinical question regarding the patient’s plan of care, said Dr. Long. They officially became available after May 25, when NorthBay Healthcare’s membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network was announced.
Dr. Long has submitted five eConsults so far, and has been impressed with the response — the integrity and the thoughtful feedback, the speed (four to five business days in general, and in one case, within 24 hours) and the invitation to call with questions or to further discuss the case.
“Not only do we get a very thorough and complete review of the patient’s medical history, records, imaging and even pathology, but at least in these cases; there has been an affirmation of a diagnosis, as well as opinions about the best path for treatment. Sometimes the physician on the Mayo Clinic end is suggesting tests or approaches we may not have considered. It’s a very thorough evaluation and a terrific collaboration.”
Dr. Long encourages physicians not only to use the eConsult, but to talk to their patients about it.
“It’s important the patients know that we have this amazing tool at our disposal,” he said. “It’s like getting a second opinion without the patient having to travel for it. There is no cost to the patient, no need to go through insurance to request it. NorthBay has access to an unlimited number of eConsults, and we ought to take advantage of it.”
To that end, NorthBay is making it as easy as possible, by training four coordinators who assist physicians in placing the eConsult request. They gather all the data and compile it in a protected, easy-to-send format.
“We want our patients to know we’re using this tool,” said Dr. Long. “Our association with the Mayo Clinic is something we can all be proud of.”