Multidisciplinary Medicine Model of Care

Multidisciplinary Team Philosophy

The Craniofacial Team of Texas is based on a multidisciplinary, collaborative care philosophy that puts patient outcomes at the fore. Care is organized according to the needs of the patients rather than the needs and concerns of the medical providers, hospitals, and insurance companies. Our experienced clinical care coordinators maintain open and direct communication among the providers, as well as with our patients and their families and partnering facilities. This interdisciplinary collaboration not only improves the care of the patient as a whole, but also allows for the objective measurement of qualitative and quantitative outcomes in a transparent environment that fosters perpetual improvement. We remain committed to consistent, coordinated medical care in a multidisciplinary environment where the providers come to the patient, as opposed to the patient running around to disparate clinics, providers, and facilities.

Multidisciplinary Teams:

• Craniofacial Team
• Vascular Anomalies Team
• Cleft/Speech Team
• Airway Team
• Neurooncology Team
• Tuberous Sclerosis Team

Multidisciplinary Clinics:

• Craniofacial Clinic
• Cleft Clinic
• Corrective Jaw Surgery Clinic
• 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Clinic
• Vascular Anomalies Clinic

Complex diagnoses benefit from the coordinated, multidisciplinary care model above all, focused on reducing the burden of disease (extent of disease and treatment and financial impact) to the patient and family. Our goal is to bring as many experts to the table as possible to evaluate, properly diagnose, plan and, ultimately, execute the best treatment plan using leading edge care philosophies and technologies.

For some patients with complex disorders, the right thing to do for the patient and family is nothing at all. Our multidisciplinary care models and conferences often serve to get everyone “on the same page” with the family and patient. Our model and philosophies serve to reinforce to all the providers that the patient and family are always in control of their care and decisions. It creates a platform for efficient and consistent communication.

Several examples of our multidisciplinary care model readily demonstrate the “team” philosophy of The Craniofacial Team of Texas:

Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic/Conference

Our Cleft Lip and Palate Program consists of providers from reconstructive craniofacial surgery, orthodontics, otolaryngology/ENT, pediatrics, genetics, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, speech and language pathology, and social work. During a clinic encounter, the patient stays in an exam room and the providers rotate around to see the patient. No bouncing around office to office with all the paperwork, registrations, and co-pays. The doctors, dentists and allied health professionals get a consistent clinical picture that allows for proper evaluation and ultimately decision-making.

Following each clinic session, our clinical care coordinator runs our team meeting. All providers are present to provide input from each perspective. During this time, each individual patient is reviewed where findings are discussed, and a coordinated, properly-sequenced plan is generated. We also work closely with others in your child’s care, including your primary care provider and other medical specialists, to ensure the delivery of safe and coordinated treatment and procedures.

Complex Airway Conference

The Airway Conference supports several of our medical programs by bringing specialists from pediatric ENT, craniofacial pediatrics, sleep medicine, pulmonology, craniofacial surgery, clinical coordinators, sleep lab specialists, and neuroradiology together to review the clinical data of patients with complex airway conditions including obstructive sleep apnea. The focus of the conference is collaborative decision-making to ensure proper diagnosis and the most advanced, state-of-the- art treatment plan possible.

Craniofacial Clinic

Our Craniofacial Program is supported by a multidisciplinary clinic staffed by Craniofacial Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurosurgery, and Craniofacial Surgery. Patients are evaluated by the entire team so patients/families can meet all their providers in a single appointment. We believe that the team approach allows for a consistent messaging to patients, adherence to care protocols, and a proper expression of roles and responsibilities of all the providers of the care team prior to any intervention.
The treatment of common disorders like single suture craniosynostosis are protocol-driven, based on the team’s consensus opinion of the most relevant clinical evidience available ans more than 45 years collective experience of the craniofacial team members. The outcomes of care protocols are consistently evaluated for opportunities for refinement, yet resisting the urge to jump at the latest fads and trends which do not have valid scientific data or experience to support their claims of success.
The Craniofacial Conference is supported by real-time clinical conferencing and collaboration to determine proper diagnostic and therapeutic steps. We believe the patient should have a chance to see all their images and supporting data to make a decision with the team that is best for the patient.

Craniofacial Conference

The Craniofacial Conference is a lecture series where the program brings in specialists and allied health professionals relevant to craniofacial patient care, many from other programs across the country, to expand the knowledge base of our providers and keep on the leading edge. The premise of the conference is based on the understanding that we don’t always have all the answers. By bringing experts in from across the country, we can open our minds to alternative strategies and perspectives that will help us stay on the leading edge and challenge our current minds, preventing stagnation.

Complex Surgical Planning Conference

The Craniofacial Team of Texas has been a pioneering program in advanced surgical care. The Team offers surgical solutions for all craniofacial conditions through a spirit of collaborative planning and execution. Our surgeons not only talk about their cases, but they operate together as a team on many complex disorders to deliver to the patient the best possible result. The Craniofacial Team of Texas has been one of the most advanced centers in the country in implementing virtual surgical planning software and its clinic translation through its collaboration with 3D Systems Medical Modeling Division in Golden, CO. The ability of all of our craniofacial surgeons to perform microvascular, microneural surgery (“microsurgery”) and orthognathic surgery allows for the most sophisticated solutions to be performed in a safe and consistently successful manner when called for.

The Complex Surgical Planning Conference allows for surgeons and team members to come together to treatment plan in person and via webinar. We feel that the various opinions and experiences of our providers help us deliver the best surgical plan with a consistently high rate of success. We sometimes find that the best solution is much easier than anticipated at the end of conference. That’s when the conference works its magic.

Preoperative Clinic

The Craniofacial Team of Texas uses a preoperative clinic managed by our craniofacial pediatrician and mid-level providers to make sure that the patient is ready to safely proceed with surgery. The clinic is where the “flight check list” is managed, and all data and consultant opinions are brought together to make sure all is clear. Safe and effective surgery depends on a great number of factors; we dedicate the appropriate resources to make sure we have the complete picture.

22Q11 Clinic

The 22Q11 Clinic is where our providers are able to focus our efforts on this unique set of patients. 22Q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, previously and variously referred to as DiGeorge Syndrome, Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome (VCF) or Stickler Syndrome, presents a unique set of clinical diagnostic and management problems that require a focused effort. Decision-making is unique from classic Cleft Lip and Palate Disorders. This is why we separate it into its own clinic with the people that understand it best.

Vascular Malformations Clinic

The Vascular Malformation Clinic was created six years ago to manage the complex process of diagnosing and managing this unique set of disorders that often requires various combination of medical treatment/prevention, laser, sclerotherapy/embolization, and surgery. Again, the multidisciplinary model is the cornerstone of care. Our patients stay in a single room and all the specialists (Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, Interventional Radiology, Hematology, and Pediatrics) visit the patient and review clinical data and films to make real-time decisions. This model allows for the most efficient diagnostic workup and treatment plan/execution possible.

The goal of the clinic is to reduce the burden of disease of the complex set of disorders.  We assign a clinical coordinator to manage the patient experience and navigate them through their clinical experience.

If you would like more information about any craniofacial anomaly, please contact the Craniofacial Team of Texas by calling 512-377-1142 or toll free 877-612-7069 to schedule an appointment or complete an online appointment request.