Top Docs: Lucas McCarthy, M.D., MSC
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
By Seattle Mag July 31, 2024
Dr. Lucas McCarthy, neurologist and MS specialist, has been named one of Seattle magazine’s Top Doctors for 2024.
Questions and Answers:
Why did you pick your specialty?
I love helping people, and the field of neurology really provides me with that opportunity. Neurologic symptoms can be extremely noticeable and impactful to patients, and I have the ability to make a difference in their daily lives by helping address many issues with the right treatment plans. In neurology, we typically treat symptoms rather than just treating abnormal lab tests or exam numbers, such as high blood pressure or an abnormal liver function test. I find it more rewarding to help people with neurologic symptoms that they can see and feel rather than treating abnormal numbers on a test.
What do you wish people knew about your specialty?
Neurologists treat all sorts of conditions, from mild headaches and vertigo to severe strokes. Some conditions are transient and treatable, while others are chronic and disabling. We are here to help patients along the way, no matter what they may face.
How do you support patients with their mental health concerns? Brain health as a whole includes both neurologic and psychiatric disorders, and they almost always go along together. We work closely with primary care, psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, social work and neurology to help support a patient’s total brain health.
How is technology changing health care?
I love the opportunity to do video visits, and my patients have greatly benefited from having faster access to care and saving travel time if they live further away or [have] mobility challenges. I also like that patients can easily read all their medical records on our web portal and be even more involved in their care.
What’s the most important healthy habit for a patient?
For optimal brain health, the best thing one can do is routine physical activity. It has benefits for reducing risk for dementia, stroke, insomnia and overall wellbeing. This does not have to be going to the gym or doing an extreme workout — a simple, regular, brisk 20-minute walk for exercise would suffice.
What questions do you wish patients would ask?
I think people are often fearful of their future prognosis, and often don’t ask because they think they don’t want to know. I would say the majority of times I discuss prognosis of future neurologic health, patients are relieved with the conversation, and this significantly reduces stressors about the unknown.
What do you do for your own personal wellness?
My favorite activities that support my own brain health are being physically active with exercise and getting regular sleep.
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