Non-Mayo Pulmonologist Recommendation

Following up on this discussion with more information about the services provided by Interventional Pulmonology vs. the Pulmonary Department.

Interventional Pulmonology is a procedural practice. This means the physician (intervential pulmonologist) sees a patient to assess what procedure needs to be done. S/he does that procedure, comes up with a diagnosis and plan of care. Care is then turned over to a local pulmonologist (or Mayo pulmonologist) who works with the patient to implement that plan of care. The local pulmonologist will contact the interventional pulmonologist again if needed.

Mayo Clinic's pulmonary department (not interventional pulmonology) does follow patients for ongoing care for chronic disease such as interstitial lung disease (ILD), COPD, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, etc.

@vic83, @brglassman, @colleenyoung , and all...I'm stepping into this conversation hopefully with something helpful. Brglassman, I, too, go to Mayo Jacksonville for al my care other than PCP, only because Mayo primary care isn't available to me with Medicare and AARP supplement. I do not, will not see any outside specialist, period. I only see Mayo specialists in the multiple areas of my needs. I am like you full of special areas with challenges. Not all are to be written in the medical journals. But, there are many issues and many unusual problems to address in one body. Put them all together and I need a team of specialists to consult on my care. And, I have found these folks at Mayo do just that.

I first went in crisis. I called, requested help and was treated with such care and kindness it threw me for a loop. Wow! These people rely care about me and what's best for my health. Amazing!

Since then, I have found them to indeed be working with me in concert to become the best I can at this time with what we're dealing.
I may live several more years and have some quality of life. Goody!

We've found more junk I don't want to have wrong, but I do and they are helping me earn to live with acceptance and some improvement.

Gastro docs have do e several procedures after first visiting with excellent gastro personnel. Same in cardio. Neurology. And so on. I don't see the top guys every visit, but they are in the loop and my team will refer me to another department if they think I need the attention.

I find calling the main number, asking for the dept and my doc, then talking with the medical assistant is a great way to get answers, clarification on whatever. They will include medical staff if they think it's necessary and I always get a call back in good time. They know how important it is for us patients full of fears and questions to understand the system and care.

So. I go directly to the source if I have questions.

Love this system at Mayo. They have saved my life and now we're working on my sanity!

Hope this helps a bit. May see you out on San Pablo. I'll be seeing pulmonary doc and tests next week.
Be blessed, elizabeth