Dr. Steve Drabek, MD
Hospice and Palliative Care Specialist | Hospice and Palliative Medicine
No office practice Oklahoma City area Oklahoma, 73099About
Dr. Steve Drabek practices Pain Medicine in Central Oklahoma, focusing on managing chronic and intractable pain conditions through medication. Initially, he gathers a comprehensive medical and surgical history to evaluate and treat patients while continually educating those with chronic pain. Pain medicine physicians employ a wide-ranging approach to address chronic pain disorders, which vary from being symptomatic of various diseases related to organ system pathophysiology to being a primary, irreversible condition caused by time, trauma, or surgical interventions. Dr. Drabek consults with other physicians, often taking over as the primary physician for managing painful conditions. These conditions are persistent and irreversible, leading to chronic pain. He provides multifaceted care, directly treating patients, prescribing medications, recommending rehabilitative services like physical and occupational therapy, and referring to interventional pain specialists for procedural pain relief when indicated. Pain management involves ongoing guidance and counseling for patients and their families, ideally through a multidisciplinary approach, coordinating care with other healthcare providers, and offering counseling and support for various conditions. Regular activity, mainly walking, is crucial for managing most pain conditions despite its challenges. Dr. Drabek's personal experience with a chronic pain syndrome since the mid-1990s has fueled his dedication to treating chronic pain.
Having been involved with Hospice for 34 years, I've made significant contributions, especially in the realm of pain control for terminally ill patients, which is essential in their final days. My experience in learning pain management at the bedside with hospice nurses has underscored the importance of consistent medication dosing over as-needed administration. Maintaining a steady medication level in the system, considering its pharmacology and metabolism, is critical. Yet, the treatment of Chronic Pain syndromes remains absent from basic medical education to this day.
Education and Training
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine 1984
Univ of Ok Coll of Med, Oklahoma City Ok 1984
Board Certification
Family MedicineAmerican Board of Family MedicineABFM
Provider Details
Dr. Steve Drabek, MD's Expert Contributions
My father is 78 years old and has been detected with colon cancer. Given his age, we are not sure what's next.
Ask your father first and see oncologist that you can communicate with and determine treatment plan and potential side effects and risk. Let your father tell you what his desires and wishes are to move forward. READ MORE
Liver cancer
Yes it's a progressive disease that would benefit from hospice services for comfort and guidance based on his goals of care. READ MORE
My father is bed ridden and going to the bathroom a lot. What should we do?
Talk to a hospice for the information about his care. READ MORE
Under what circumstances does the hospital turn off the ventilator for a patient?
If your father has an advanced directive and DNR in place. You need to be his health care proxy to make decisions for him since he is not able when on ventilator. Hopefully his advanced directive states his desires. It is also important that all family members present are in agreement. You must be logical and have a straightforward discussion with the Dr. in charge of his care and try to avoid becoming emotional or aggravated. As I always told families the removal of life support is the most compassionate and loving thing to do for your father at that stage. Good Luck. READ MORE
Final exhales?
The key to the scenario you described is the fact that all indications were pain and suffering disappearing. This sounds fairly normal for end of life. I refer to it as a celestial discharge. READ MORE
What does hospice do for liver failure?
Comfort and support in the home where most patients prefer to remain. READ MORE
What is most important in hospice and palliative care?
Comfort and controlling your own care where you want to be which mostly is home. READ MORE
Can hospice care be done at home?
98% Hospice is in the home. READ MORE
My father has been given 6 months to live. Can a palliative care specialist or end of life care specialist counsel my mother?
That is precisely what Hospice is all about, which is counseling all family members. Seek out a hospice in your city to set up services and keep him at home. READ MORE
Is hospice appropriate for dementia?
Dementia is an appropriate hospice condition, but it is dependent on what stage of dementia based upon what’s called a fast score. READ MORE
What treatments are available for the elderly?
Hospice is end of life care maintaining comfort for physical, emotional and spiritual pain to the very end. READ MORE
How to help someone in hospice?
Visit them as frequently as possible because people at the end of life need companion presence. READ MORE
Does palliative radiotherapy prolong life?
No it’s primarily for pain reduction. READ MORE
How long do you stay in the hospital after a kidney biopsy?
It is frequently done as an outpatient READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for hospice procedures?
Anesthesia is not a hospice option. READ MORE
Do hospices provide the best care for the dying?
Absolutely the best. READ MORE
Can you live normal life after radiotherapy?
Too many factors need to be considered, so it is best to ask your radiation oncologist about them. READ MORE
Monitoring O2?
Oxygen desaturation the way it is monitored at home is only checking the oxygen saturation of the finger or sometimes the earlobe. This is a natural process with the diseases you describe and wearing oxygen is very uncomfortable for your family member. This is the reason you will frequently find it being removed by the patient. if they are comfortable, you’re going to run yourself ragged trying to chase this because it will continue to decline with the disease processes. READ MORE
Can you get physiotherapy on hospice?
Usually not just comfort and supportive care is provided. READ MORE
Is physical therapy good for hospice patients?
It is not effective for end of life care. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Awards
- Oklahoma Family Physician of the Year 2007 2007 Oklahoma Family Physician's
- TJ Lowery Humanitarian Award 2005 Yukon Chamber of Commerce
- Friend of Nursing Award 2017 Oklahoma Nursing Association
- Outstanding Physician Preceptor 2002 University of Oklahoma Physician Associate Program
- Family Physician of the Year 1998 Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants
Professional Memberships
- Oklahoma state Medical Association
- Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians
- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- American Academy of Family Physicians
Treatments
- The many treatments I personally had as a patient creating my empathetic overload which was of unlimited value for me personally and professionally.
Internships
- Tulsa Medical College
Professional Society Memberships
- AHPM, OKSMA, OKCM
What do you attribute your success to?
- He attributes his success to his mother, who died in 1963 from a malpractice lawsuit. Her name was Flora Drabek, and she was also a nurse in the healthcare field. She changed the practice of anesthesia and was later awarded the Bluebirds for her service. He found his calling shortly after in Family Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Care, and believes that we all will die; God will decide, and always remember that God is the only one who decides. He is a cancer survivor, diagnosed during his residency, but he worked hard and pushed through, and has been working in the field for 40 years.
Teaching and speaking
- Teaching as Preceptor for Physician Assistants and Medical students. Teaching patients, working with Hospice & End of Life Care since 1990 to instill it as my passion.Beginning late 2024 will dedicate myself to Speaking on Chronic Pain and the need for empathy for its treatment improving quality of life for patients through appropriate use of pain medications and monitoring, encouraging and educating patients and physicians.
Dr. Steve Drabek, MD's Practice location
Hospice & Home Palliative Service
No office practice -Oklahoma City area, Oklahoma 73099Get Direction
Dr. Steve Drabek, MD's reviews
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Dedicated to Managing Complex Pain Conditions with a Holistic, Multidisciplinary Approach in Central Oklahoma
Steve Drabek, MD, a distinguished physician specializing in pain medicine, has dedicated his career to managing chronic and intractable pain conditions in Central Oklahoma. His comprehensive approach combines medication management with patient education, ensuring that individuals suffering from persistent pain receive the multifaceted care they need.
Chronic pain is a complex condition that can arise from various diseases or as a result of trauma and surgical interventions. Dr. Drabek emphasizes the importance of gathering detailed medical and surgical histories to tailor treatments for his patients. “Every patient is unique, and understanding their specific circumstances is crucial in developing an effective pain management plan,” he explains.
Dr. Drabek’s practice is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating with other healthcare providers to deliver holistic care. This collaboration often includes consultations with interventional pain specialists, physical and occupational therapists, and ongoing support for patients and their families. He advocates for regular physical activity, particularly walking, as an essential component of pain management, despite the inherent challenges faced by his patients.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Drabek has been an integral part of hospice care for 34 years, focusing on pain control for terminally ill patients. His extensive experience in hospice settings has highlighted the significance of consistent medication dosing, which he believes is critical for effective pain relief. “Learning pain management at the bedside with hospice nurses taught me the importance of maintaining steady medication levels in the system,” he states.
Dr. Drabek’s commitment to pain management is underscored by his journey. Since the mid-1990s, he has lived with chronic pain syndrome, a reality that fuels his dedication to improving the lives of his patients. He believes that education on chronic pain management should be a fundamental component of medical training, noting that the treatment of chronic pain syndromes is still largely absent from basic medical education.
A 1984 graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Dr. Drabek is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. His contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed; he has received numerous accolades, including being named Oklahoma “Family Physician of the Year” in 2007 and earning the TJ Lowery Humanitarian Award in 2006. In 2002, Dr. Drabek was recognized as the Outstanding Physician Preceptor for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Physician Associate Program. Additionally, in 1998, he was awarded Family Physician of the Year by the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants.
Dr. Drabek credits much of his success to his mother, Flora Drabek, a nurse whose legacy in the healthcare field continues to inspire him. Her experience and the challenges she faced in her career have shaped his approach to patient care. A cancer survivor himself, Dr. Drabek understands the importance of resilience and compassion in the medical profession.
Looking ahead, Dr. Drabek plans to dedicate his efforts to speaking engagements beginning in late 2024, focusing on chronic pain awareness and the necessity for empathy in treatment. He aims to educate both patients and healthcare providers on the effective use of pain medications and the importance of monitoring patient well-being.
“Chronic pain is a reality for many, and it’s essential that we approach treatment with understanding and compassion,” Dr. Drabek asserts. His commitment to enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from chronic pain will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the Central Oklahoma community.
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