I am a college student with Spina Bifida. My home is Indiana , but I go to school in New York. The University I attend has a health clinic for students. Can I go there for care or should I find an off-campus physician?

Congratulations on college. Your question raises several issues:

1. Where should you go for health care as an adult with Spina Bifida?
    
   
2. What information should you have with you when you are away from your home medical team?

Most University Health Services and Clinics offer basic preventive and illness care equal to a primary care practice. They are often staffed by adult trained nurse practitioners, family medicine or general internal medicine physicians, or pediatricians with expertise in adolescent health. The providers are well-trained for common acute and chronic medical conditions seen in college students (such as strep throat, sinus infections, asthma, diabetes, thyroid problems, etc.). They should seek assistance from specialists familiar with the unique needs of an individual with Spina Bifida, just as your family physician back home would do.

Therefore, it is fine to go to the University Health Clinic for the same illnesses you would see your primary care doctor. For care related to your shunt, neurogenic bladder, neurogenic bowel, skin breakdown, or mobility equipment you should see the related sub-specialist you see back in Indiana . One way to find those specialists is to contact either the local Spina Bifida clinic or SBA chapter near your school. They can recommend the correct sub-specialist. You can find the contact information for local Spina Bifida clinics and SBA chapters on the SBA website at: www.spinabifidaassociation.org

If you use the University's student health insurance as your primary coverage while you are at school, you may need to get referrals from the Student Health Clinic before seeing outside specialists. Ask about this when registering for school.

Also remember that one area where University Student Health Clinics are very helpful is assessing and treating stress related conditions. College is stressful for many students regardless of their other medical conditions, and Student Health Clinics have processes in place to help. If you occasionally feel overwhelmed at school, you are not alone.

Because you are living away from your usual Spina Bifida medical providers, you should have your important information with you. The minimal information you should always have with you is:

1. The names, telephone numbers, and addresses of:
    
   1. All your home medical providers
       
      1. Indicate their specialty (i.e. neurosurgery, urology, orthopedics, OT/PT)
          
         
   2. All hospitals where surgeries occurred
       
      
      1. The physicians can contact the medical record departments for reports
          
         
   3. All locations (hospital and private facilities) where radiographic studies were performed
       
      
   4. Orthotic, mobility, and DME (catheters, diapers) providers
       
      
2. A list of medication names, strengths, and dosing recommendations and who prescribes each of them
    
   
3. A list of medication, latex, and other allergies and the reactions
    
   
4. Your insurance information and a copy of your insurance card(s)
    
   
5. A digital or film copy of your most recent brain scan (CT or MRI) if you have a shunt

One way to have all the relevant information with you is to obtain a copy of the SBA publication Health Guide for Adults Living with Spina Bifida . There is a personal health record section which is specifically tailored for someone with Spina Bifida. In addition, the guide is a good overview of the medical issues surrounding Spina Bifida, which can be helpful to you and any medical provider less familiar with Spina Bifida care.

For more information on the genetics and factors associated with Spina Bifida, please visit the Spina Bifida Association fact sheet.

Interested in submitting a question for Question of the Month? Email us at sbaa@sbaa.org.

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