Happy New Year!           January 2006

In this newsletter, I wanted to discuss my role as a treating doctor on a personal injury case.  My initial goal is to provide a professional atmosphere that will help patients to feel comfortable in my office.  I take the time to talk with them in order to thoroughly evaluate their case and injuries, discuss what they can expect from treatment, and answer any questions or concerns they might have.  I stress the importance of following a treatment plan.  I find that patients who feel comfortable with their treatment and understand what is expected of them will avoid missing appointments that can ultimately lead to poor outcomes both with their healing as well as the strength of their case.

I feel that it is my responsibility as a primary health care provider to be an active team leader in the coordination of all care, communications, and documentation concerning the patient’s case.  There are a variety of health care providers with whom I work closely and to whom I will refer patients to if necessary, such as primary care physicians, orthopedists, physiatrists, osteopaths, physical therapists, and neurologists.  Specifically, at my office, we have massage therapy, acupuncture, and exercise rehabilitation available on site. Radiographs and specialty imaging will also be performed when appropriate.  I document every aspect of the patient’s management in the form of meaningful and timely treatment notes and reports.

In the cases when the patient’s injuries are permanent, I perform an accurate and comprehensive final evaluation that reflects causation.  The entire patient chart reflects a logical treatment and outcome leading toward the conclusions expressed in the final report. This allows the patient’s case to be reviewed easily, and assures fair and appropriate compensation.

Most importantly, I find that free-flowing communication between attorneys and myself is helpful in avoiding common errors that can have a negative impact on a patient’s case.  An attorney should feel that they could contact me and speak candidly about the patient’s condition and status.  This kind of communication benefits everyone involved.

I look forward to a new year that includes the opportunity to serve you and your clients in the way 
that is outlined above.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian Ruggiero

Chiropractic Physician