Wriiten by Bloom Magazine
Richard C. Sims, MD is a Board-Certified Interventional Pain Management Physician at The Orthopedic Clinic
Tell us a bit about yourself! Let our readers get to know you on a personal level.
I am a family man with three young boys who rule my life. I am also a self-taught pianist and organist.
What is your "why?" What inspires you every day to do more/better?
I am fulfilled in my work when my patients can become more functional and improve their quality of life while avoiding major surgery.
If you were to describe yourself in three words, what would they be and why?
Trustworthy, Dependable, Caring. Those are three attributes as a patient that I want from my physicians. At a minimum, my patients deserve that.
Take us back to when you first began medicine; what was it like for you?
Medicine has not changed much since I started, as I finished my training about three years ago.
What do you like most about practicing medicine and why?
I look forward to meeting people from all walks of life and offering them a potential improvement in their quality of life.
What is your philosophy when treating injured workers?
Until I am given a reason not to, I accept an injured worker's condition as the truth and will do my best to offer treatment to help them return to baseline as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What changes or improvements do you feel you can bring to the workers' compensation industry?
In the work-comp field, pain management is often referred to as a "black hole." My goal is to help injured workers return to their baseline as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What is your process for evaluating and treating patients?
I attempt to obtain a thorough history, perform a complete physical exam, and combine this with objective imaging to get an accurate diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is determined, a treatment process is outlined - almost always recommending conservative treatment first.
How do you find a balance between your work life and your home life?
One perk of interventional pain management is an M-F job without call or weekend duty. This allows me to spend time with my family and recharge for the week.
What Makes Your Practice Unique?
I have the opportunity to work hand in hand with some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the community. Three of these surgeons specialize in treating the spine. I communicate with them daily and coordinate care regarding mutual patients. We review images together on patients concerning pathology and determine the most effective and safest treatment option for them without any delay in care.
What strategies do you use to make sure you clearly communicate your message to everyone involved?
At TOC, we have dedicated Worker's Compensation Coordinators that are personally available to facilitate clear, timely, and ongoing communication with the injured worker, the employer, and other parties that may be involved throughout the workers' compensation claim. They are committed to doing whatever they can to assist you and the injured worker to the injured worker back to work as quickly as possible.
What final thoughts would you share with those in workers' compensation?
Worker's compensation is a process that can be difficult to navigate. Treatment at the orthopedic clinic often allows the patient to seek interventional pain management and/or surgical care under the same roof. This provides continuity of care and quick transition between providers if necessary.
What is the best way to reach you and your staff?
The best way to reach our dedicated Worker's Compensation Coordinators is by calling them at 386-944-1068 or emailing atworkcomp@orthotoc.com. You can also visit our website at www.orthotoc.com for additional information about our practice or physicians.
To read more about the impact TOC is having in the workers' compensation industry, visit their website at www.orthotoc.com
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