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6.2. SCI Physician or Provider Role

The designated SCI physician provides primary care services and coordinates any needed consultative care for this population. Providers serving in this role need to have a limited panel size to reflect the frequency of appointments; longer appointment times needed (typically 1 to 2 hours or more for outpatient visits, while annual evaluation visits can be extensive); case management need; the expectation of inpatient consultative visits; coordination of care with the designated SCI Center; and participation in SCI Telehealth care. The distinguishing characteristic of a SCI/D Support Clinic is the presence of a dedicated medical specialist (physiatrist, neurologist, internist) who by virtue of training and experience provides basic SCI specialty care and may also provide SCI primary care. If services are limited to basic SCI specialty care, a primary care physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse practitioner should work with the specialist to deliver SCI primary care services. If the SCI assigned physician's specialty role does not allow for the provision of primary care services, another SCI trained provider (e.g., physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or primary care physician) works with the SCI physician to provide primary care.