Treatment Options at the Mayo Clinic: A Comprehensive Approach
The Mayo Clinic offers a multidisciplinary approach to treatment that prioritizes patient-centered care through coordinated specialist teams, personalized treatment plans, and evidence-based interventions tailored to specific conditions.
Core Treatment Principles
- Treatment at Mayo Clinic involves multidisciplinary teams including medical, radiation, surgical and imaging specialists, palliative care experts, and psychosocial support professionals working together to provide comprehensive care 1
- Patient preferences are actively incorporated into treatment decisions, with realistic treatment goals discussed from the beginning of care 1
- Specialist nurses often provide crucial support, coordination, and continuity of care for patients with complex conditions 1
Condition-Specific Treatment Approaches
Pain Management for Inflammatory and Degenerative Conditions
- Physical activity and exercise are recommended as first-line treatments, with referral to physiotherapists for individually tailored graded exercise programs when needed 1
- Orthotic devices (splints, braces, insoles) and assistive devices are offered when pain impedes daily functioning 1
- Psychological and social interventions are provided when these factors interfere with effective pain management 1
- Sleep interventions are recommended when sleep disturbance is reported, with education about sleep hygiene practices 1
- Weight management options are discussed with patients when obesity contributes to pain and disability 1
Cancer Treatment (e.g., Breast Cancer)
- Isolated locoregional recurrences are treated with curative intent whenever possible 1
- Systemic treatment options include endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, bone-directed agents, and targeted biological agents 1
- Treatment selection considers factors like previous therapies and response, disease-free interval, tumor characteristics, and patient preferences 1
- For metastatic disease, palliative care is integrated with disease-directed therapy to maintain/improve quality of life 1
Multiple Myeloma Management
- Treatment options are tailored based on prior treatments and duration of response 1
- For previously treated multiple myeloma, options include systemic therapy, autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for eligible patients, or clinical trials 1
- Patients who had autologous transplantation with durable response may be considered for a second transplantation at relapse 1
- Risk-adapted therapy approaches are used, with different regimens for standard-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk disease 1
Mechanical Circulatory Support
- Patients with mechanical circulatory support devices receive comprehensive care including device parameter monitoring, driveline management, and physical/occupational therapy 1
- Evidence-based heart failure medical therapies are continued in patients with mechanical support devices 1
- Palliative care involvement is recommended during evaluation and throughout treatment 1
Osteoarthritis Management
- Initial treatment includes self-management programs with regular exercise, weight reduction for overweight patients, and bracing/adaptive equipment as needed 1
- Pharmacotherapy options include topical agents (NSAIDs, capsaicin) for knee OA, acetaminophen, and oral NSAIDs 1
- Physical therapy referral is considered based on pain severity and functional limitations 1
- A structured management algorithm guides treatment progression from initial approaches to more advanced interventions 1
Patient Safety Considerations
- Treatment plans incorporate patient safety as an essential component, with protocols to reduce the risk of adverse events 2
- Priority is given to addressing both serious and common problems that impact patient outcomes and resource utilization 3
- Transparency, care integration, patient engagement, and team-based approaches are fundamental to achieving meaningful safety improvements 4
Clinical Decision Making
- Evidence-based approaches guide treatment selection, with consideration of both benefits and risks for each intervention 5
- When multiple treatment options are indicated, multidisciplinary interventions are considered, especially when monotherapy has failed 1
- Clinical trials are prioritized and offered to eligible patients whenever available 1