One-Stop Pituitary Clinic
A collaborative approach
The One-Stop Pituitary Clinic at St. Joseph’s Hospital was created by St. Joseph’s in collaboration with specialists across the city. The clinic’s purpose is to streamline care for patients with pituitary disease through convenient scheduling of appointments on a single day.
Pituitary disease can cause a wide range of disorders requiring testing, imaging and the care of various specialists – ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, neurosurgeons and ear nose and throat surgeons. Previously, care for patients required various medical visits scheduled on multiple days. With One-Stop Clinic’s central referral process, initial lab testing, endocrinology consult, visual field testing and neuro-ophthalmology consult are arranged on the same day.
Appointment itineraries for patients
Prior to arriving at the One-Stop Pituitary Clinic, patients receive an itinerary of their appointments – which may include London Health Sciences Centre – directions, as well as education about the pituitary and what they can expect during their visit.
In addition to the logistical improvements, the streamlining and centralization of referrals enhances facilitates patient education and, facilitates follow-up visits, enhances teaching to residents and medical students, and improves understanding and care for patients with pituitary disease.
Within the setting of an academic hospital, we are dedicated to teaching residents and medical students about pituitary disease, and to performing research studies that help advance the knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of pituitary disease.
Research with Western University's Brain and Mind Institute
The interdisciplinary pituitary group in London has published joint scientific papers, developed a database to analyze patient outcomes, and is embarking on new and exciting imaging research with The Brain and Mind Institute at Western University.
The group has developed unique collaboration with world leading scientists at Western that are experts in imaging the brain. The group has already taken the first and pivotal steps in advancing understanding of how vision responds to injury and recovery before and after pituitary surgery.
As a Canadian first, physicians, scientists and the cutting edge imaging technology are redefining the boundaries on how the brain and vision can be understood and can how best to facilitate the brain’s response to tumour removal and visual recovery.
Patients may be asked to participate in research with the hope of improving the lives of patients suffering from pituitary tumors. Patient participation is always welcome and most appreciated.