Albany Med Health Care Providers Publish Neurosciences Book
Albany, N.Y., January 15, 2008—Nearly 30 Albany Med-affiliated physicians and nurses contributed editorial content to the second edition of Primary Care of Neurological Disorders, a textbook intended as a liaison between primary care providers and neurological specialists. The book was first printed 10 years ago.
“A number of neurosurgeons nationally have used the book to help them establish closer partnerships with primary care providers in their communities. In turn, I think primary care physicians have found the information in the book to be practical and insightful in helping them to evaluate, treat and/or refer patients complaining of problems involving the spine, brain and nervous system,” said A. John Popp, M.D., Henry and Sally Schaffer Chair of Surgery, head of neurosurgery and co-director of the Neurosciences Institute at Albany Medical Center. Dr. Popp is editor-in-chief of the textbook whose updated second edition was released by Thieme Publishing. Of the approximately 50 contributors to the book, more than 30 are affiliated with Albany Med.
The book covers symptoms—including back pain, headaches, memory problems, depression, seizures, numbness, dizziness and chronic pain—and includes descriptions of the clinical manifestations, examination techniques, and treatment options for each.
Dr. Popp said ensuring emergency treatment is vital. “In some cases, delayed diagnosis of a brain or spinal problem can be devastating,” he said, pointing out that it’s vital for primary care specialists to know the warning signs of emergencies like stroke, brain hemorrhage and serious head or spine injury. In other cases, such as in Alzheimer’s disease or chronic shingles pain, delayed diagnosis can mean delayed treatment and prolonged suffering.
“Overall, we want to emphasize the importance of collaboration between primary care physicians and neuro-specialists. We’d like to underscore the principle of continuity of care and the fact that primary care health providers are an important part of the team,” said Dr. Popp. “I believe our role as neurological specialists is to share our knowledge about our field to further that relationship."
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Beth Engeler
