OMA Medicine in Oregon Fall 2016

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4 Medicine in Oregon
Robert M. Orfaly, MD
President
Oregon Medical Association
THIS ISSUE OF MEDICINE in Oregon
offers insights into the challenges and
innovations in mental health care in
Oregon from several respected experts in
the field.
As an orthopaedic surgeon, I do not
consider myself such an expert. However, I
readily appreciate how the manifestations
of mental health have major implications
in the care that I provide.
I am sure I am not alone. From the
intersection of mental health with gun
violence and drug addiction, to the
barriers to communication and treatment
compliance experienced in this patient
population, no provider can escape the
impact of mental health issues on their
patients.
Nonetheless, providers and policymakers
have talked for years about a dichotomy
in focus and resource allocation between
the physical and mental components of
wellness.
One reason for this disparity may be
the fact that so few of us in the medical
community truly feel we have the necessary
expertise to treat mental illness. There is
no question that mental health specialists
are invaluable in their ability to direct care
in this realm.
However, I hope that the following articles
not only provide a glimpse into the
treatments that these providers render but
also offer avenues that the rest of us can
take to provide support and direction to
our patients suffering from mental illness.
Another reason for this disparity may be
the sense that lasting improvements are
so hard to come by. Certainly from an
orthopaedic perspective, broken bones that
are appropriately set and limbs that are
adequately rehabilitated seem like a more
tangible success than can be achieved in
many psychiatric conditions. Once again, I
am inspired by our authors and their work
to produce improved treatment plans and
enhanced outcomes for these challenging
problems.
Our writers for this issue demonstrate
what can be done now and what we as
a medical community hope to achieve
in the future to improve care for all
Oregonians. 
The Dichotomy Between
Mental and Physical Health