MDNews - Long Island

NSPC's Mobile Clinic NSPC BR A IN & Spine Surgery's mobile clinic offers patients a unique level of accessibility and convenience. When William Sonstein, MD, FACS, an attending neurosurgeon and President at NSPC, learned that his wife, a radiologist, offered mammograms through a mobile clinic, he was inspired to create something similar for NSPC. Back pain — like screening mammograms — may be something busy patients try to ignore as long as they can. A mobile clinic, however, lets patients receive a neurosurgical evaluation with minimal time away from their busy lives. Known as NSPC Mobile, NSPC's mobile clinic is housed in a brand-new van that contains a complete examination room and is equipped with computers and Wi-Fi so imaging studies can be reviewed during the patient's mobile clinic visit. The mobile clinic is even equipped with a private restroom. NSPC Mobile offers everything needed for a full neurosurgical consultation. "The whole point is to make it more convenient for patients, so they don't have to take the day off of work in order to get the care they need," Dr. Sonstein says. Instead, NSPC Mobile goes to the workplace so that patients can be seen on their break. To expedite their office visit, patients fill out their medical history forms online prior to their appointment. Then they are evaluated by a board-certified neurosurgeon who makes recommendations for their care. If a patient comes in without any prior evaluation, NSPC neurosurgeons can order the appropriate imaging and refer them out for conservative care such as physical therapy, pain management or chiropractic care if they do not require surgery at that time. If they have an issue that is determined to not be neurosurgical, they are referred to the appropriate specialist. The neurosurgeon also takes time to educate the patient and to reassure them when needed. "We can help make the problem seem simpler to the patient and make them feel better — that they're not going to be paralyzed, they're not going to die, it's not cancer," Dr. Sonstein says. "I give patients the same time and attention in the van as I do in the office." NSPC Mobile gets approval to park at certain businesses where employees can be evaluated on-site. "It is relatively new, so we're not open yet to the general public," Dr. Sonstein says. "We are trying to get the program going to specific areas where patients are employed." Patients can sign up for NSPC Mobile on NSPC's website. They can then be seen once their workplace gives approval. Currently, NSPC Mobile is traveling to various government buildings and town halls to treat employees. The aim is to expand to other organizations where people have a hard time stepping away from work for a few minutes or an hour, such as schools. Launched in January 2022, NSPC Mobile is a customized, 26- foot van equipped to visit work sites, public offices and other locations anywhere on Long Island. 1 0❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R F E A T U R E

• Cover