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The role and future prospects of the spine and spinal cord center
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Published: | May 8, 2006 |
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Objective: In Japan, patients with spinal diseases are treated by neurosurgeons or orthopedists; however, generally, most of these cases are treated by orthopedists. We have established a spine and spinal cord center in which neurosurgeons and orthopedists work collaboratively. This is a globally new concept and offers many advantages. We provide an introduction to the features of this center.
Our hospital acquired the Tokyo monopoly hospital in March 2005, and it was established as the International university of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, concurrently with the establishment of the spine and spinal cord center. The staff of this center comprises four neurosurgeons, four orthopedists including a supervisory doctor approved by the Japan Neurosurgical Society, and two supervisory doctors approved by the Japanese Spine Research Society.
The collaboration of neurosurgeons and orthopedists provides many benefits to patients with spinal diseases as well as to the doctors. Therefore, the establishment of a center such as this would serve as an ideal example of a cutting-edge institute of medicine. We will be pleased if our hospital serves as a model for the establishment of similar centers at other institutions.