Clinicians have a proven, positive impact on a patient's ability to quit smoking, yet less than half of smokers receive advice from a health care professional when trying to quit. The Fontana Tobacco Treatment Center at UCSF Medical Center developed "Rx for Change: Clinician-Assisted Tobacco Cessation" to improve tobacco cessation counseling in clinical practice.
This evidence-based, comprehensive curriculum equips licensed clinicians and students in all medical disciplines with the latest skills to assist patients. The curriculum includes reading material, lectures with animated PowerPoint slides, videotapes and role playing with case scenarios. Since its inception, Rx for Change has helped train more than 100,000 clinicians throughout the U.S. and abroad and has been translated into multiple languages. Rx for Change is free and available to anyone in the medical field. For more information, visit www.rxforchange.ucsf.edu.
Urgent, same-day care is available at the UCSF Voice and Swallowing Center for patients who use their voice on the job, such as actors, newscasters, singers and teachers. Disorders unrelated to an acute infection, such as a common cold, can be evaluated by a laryngologist and otolaryngologist with advanced training in voice, swallowing and airway disorders. The center offers laryngoscopy and video-laryngostroboscopy to evaluate the larynx and vocal cords. For non-urgent care, a team of laryngologists and speech pathologists evaluate patients and develop treatment plans that may include voice therapy, medication or surgery. To refer a patient, call (415) 885-7700. See a Q&A with patient Amy Gutierrez.
The Athena Breast Health Network, launched by UCSF in December 2011, is screening 150,000 women in California for breast cancer this year and tracking them for several decades. The program is a collaboration of the University of California's five medical centers. Every woman screened at a UC mammography center will receive a personalized risk assessment for breast cancer. Those at highest risk can work with a breast health specialist to discuss ways to reduce risk. The goal is to improve breast cancer prevention, survival and treatment, and accelerate research. Contact the program at (415) 514-8585 or athenainfo@ucsf.edu, or see more information at www.athenacarenetwork.org. Patients can call (415) 476-0276.
The Center for Limb Preservation at UCSF Medical Center is the first of its kind in the Bay Area to focus on preventing amputation, particularly for diabetics who are at risk for foot and leg conditions such as infections, non-healing wounds and peripheral artery disease. Vascular surgeons and podiatrists manage care and coordinate referrals to specialists in cardiology, endocrinology, infectious disease, orthopedics, plastic surgery and rehabilitation. To refer a patient, call (415) 353-2357.
The UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute has created a Participant Recruitment Service to help enroll research participants in clinical studies of UCSF and affiliated institutions. The service is currently recruiting participants for the following studies:
For more information on how to refer your patients to studies, call (415) 514-8140.
The Physician Liaison Service of UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital has published a new Physician Referral Directory, being distributed this summer. The 250-page directory includes an index by specialty and physician name for both adult and pediatric services. Online directories are available at www.ucsfhealth.org/find_a_doctor and www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/find_a_doctor. The new directory in PDF can be downloaded for printing at www.ucsfhealth.org/prd and www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/prd. The PDF files are updated quarterly. To obtain a hardcopy directory, contact the Physician Liaison Service at (800) 444-2559 or at referral.center@ucsfmedctr.org.
UCSF's Continuing Medical Education Program offers courses throughout the year, including these conferences:
For more information, call the CME office at (415) 476-4251 or visit www.cme.ucsf.edu.
The Physician Liaison Service is available to assist physicians, medical groups and health plans refer a patient or arrange a consultation. For more information, visit www.ucsfhealth.org/healthprofessionals.
Phone: (800) 444-2559
Fax: (415) 353-4395
Email: referral.center@ucsfmedctr.org
Our toll-free Access Center is the gateway for all services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. For more information, visit www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/healthprofessionals.
Phone: (877) 822-4453 [UC-CHILD]
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