Why is the treatment of chronic, disabling pain in the Department of Psychiatry?
Chronic pain affects all aspects of a person’s life. Psychiatry is the discipline that cares for the whole person, not just a single organ system. Our goal is to help patients change so that they can restore their function, engage in productive activities, and improve their quality of life. If we can delineate all the conditions responsible for chronic pain, regardless of whether they are psychiatric, medical, neurological, or surgical, then we can begin to design individual treatments with the patient. This integrated, interdisciplinary process recognizes how all aspects of the patient fit together and how an individual is greater than the sum of their parts. Problem areas combine to create a disabling illness that is complicated and that requires more then simple fixes, but that can ultimately be unraveled for successful treatment outcomes.
Why is the inpatient Pain Treatment Program on a locked unit in the hospital?
The PTP is a voluntary rehabilitation program. Patients may leave the unit at any time. Patient safety is paramount at Hopkins and you will find that many inpatient units throughout the hospital have limited access for staff and visitors. In addition, the PTP shares the floor with often vulnerable geriatric patients in need of extra precautions. There are visiting hours for family and friends and patients often leave the unit for group meetings or to walk on hospital grounds. Sometimes passes are given for weekends with family or friends.
What insurance does the hospital take?
Before your admission, our business office will verify your benefits and coverage to provide you with specific information about the steps required by your insurance company to obtain information for admission to our program. This is considered a mental health admission through The Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Psychiatry and will come from the mental health portion of your insurance, not the medical portion. Please fax the front and back of all your insurance cards to the attention of Jim Merritt, the admission coordinator, at 410-955-8069.
How do I get referred to this program?
Current clinical information from your physicians (e.g. internists, psychiatrists, pain specialists, neurologists, etc.) are needed for the treatment team here to determine whether your problems are likely to benefit from treatment in our program. This initial information also allows our treatment team to begin planning your course of treatment once you are admitted to our program. Please have you doctor(s) fax their most current information to the attention of Jim Merritt, the admission coordinator, at 410-955-6155.
What should I bring to the hospital if admitted to the program?
Due to limited storage space, it is necessary to pack only essentials. However the unit does have free laundry facilities. Three to four days worth of comfortable clothing including a pair of athletic shoes are appropriate. Please leave valuables at home. If cash is needed, the Hospital has several ATM machines for your convenience. When making preparations for admission, consider possible length of time including that which may be spent as an outpatient in the Day Hospital.
