Your first visit is really a fact-finding mission for us so that we
can understand your particular needs and plan how to best meet them.
Expect to spend at least 30-45 minutes in the office for this
important first step in your treatment.
Signing In
When you come to our office, we ask that you sign in
so we can better serve you. Please include your email address, if you
have one, so that we can email reminders and news articles - with your
permission! If you have health insurance, please bring your insurance
card with you so that we may check your coverage. Our office staff
will make a photocopy for your file.
To understand your particular situation, we need you
to fill out an Initial Health Status
sheet. To save time in the office, you may right
click the link to
download the form, then print it out, fill it in and bring it with you
to your first visit.
Interview with the Doctor
Once you have finished the paperwork and we have any
insurance information, the doctor will see you in an examination room.
The doctor
will speak with you about your concerns, your condition, and your
current circumstances. He will go over your medical history and review
any medications you may be taking - both over the counter and
prescriptions.
Physical Exam
Once the doctor has a good understanding of your
present state of health, he will then perform a physical examination.
This may include orthopedic, neurological, range of motion, and
strength tests. These measures are necessary to determine if further
diagnostic tests may be needed, which may include, but are not limited
to:
- Xrays
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- CAT Scans
These tests will be scheduled at another facility
and a follow-up visit will be needed.
First Aid, If Necessary
If, at your first visit, you are in considerable
discomfort and need immediate relief from pain, the doctor will
administer appropriate first aid and treatment. However, if your
injury is extensive, the doctor may need to defer further treatment
until diagnostic test results are available. This is for your own
safety, as the doctor's first priority is to your health and
well-being; he does not want to worsen any underlying injuries that
may be aggravated.
Follow-Up Visit: Report of Findings
If your circumstances have warranted further
diagnostic tests like those mentioned above, the doctor will review
the results with you at a follow-up visit. Here, you will discover
what your current state of health is, and, with the doctor, decide on
a course of treatment.
