by Diane K. Newman, DNP, FAAN, BCB-PMD
Urinary Incontinence (UI) affects 13 million Americans, annually costing consumers and the health care industry nearly $16 billion. Until recently, UI was a silent subject, rarely disclosed by patients or openly discussed within families, and often undiagnosed by professional caregivers. During the past decade, the treatment and care of UI has undergone a revolution. The public is now more aware of UI as a serious health problem.
SEPHIA'sChoice is an online searchable database of professional continence providers for use by consumers, health care professionals and industry leaders. The database has been designed with a public interface on Seekwellness where single searches can be performed. The website also offers health professionals, group medical practices and medical institutions the opportunity to perform unlimited searches on a subscription basis. All searchers are asked to login and information is collected to learn more about the users of the database and their specific information needs. This feedback will insure that the database will evolve into a premium resource. Specific information listed by pelvic health specialists includes:
- Contact and location information about the individual or group practice
- Names of key staff members at the facility
- Specialties including urology, geriatrics, nursing, primary care, internal medicine, gynecology, urogynecology and possibly others
- Services available including assessment, evaluation, complex urodynamics, behavioral therapy, biofeedback therapy, medical therapy, electrical stimulation, surgical treatment, and alternative management
- Specific expertise including general urology, incontinence and other voiding dysfunctions, pelvic pain and vulvodynia, interstitial cystitis and bladder pain, pelvic surgery, pelvic prolapse, male and female sexual dysfunction, prostate health, hormone imbalance and possibly others
The database is fully searchable on key variables including location, name, type of specialty, type of service and type of expertise and multiple variables can be indexed in one search. SEPHIA listings include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physical and occupational therapists.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The SEPHIA database is provided for use by the general public as a reference for information about medical professionals treating certain pelvic conditions. It is not intended as a means of verifying the credentials, qualifications, competence or abilitites of any medical professional contained therein. Inclusion in the Database is not and does not imply a recommendation or endorsement, nor does omission indicate a lack of competence or disapproval. Rather, the Database attempts to take information available in the public domain and present it in a format which members of the general public with interest in pelvic health matters may find useful.
Wellness Partners, LLC disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The SEPHIA's Choice database is provided on and "As Is" "Where Is" basis, with all risks assumed by the user. Without limiting the foregoing, Wellness Partners, LLC does not warrant or represent that the SEPHIA's Choice database or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any medical professional you contact from or through the Database. Wellness Partners, LLC shall not be liable in any event to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in reliance on information, provided in the SEPHIA database.
You are also prohibited from downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, using or “scraping” for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the SEPHIA's Choice database or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.
By using this website or the SEPHIA's Choice database, you agree to all of these terms and conditions.
February 2007
