Your First Appointment

Dear Patient,

Welcome to our practice. We intend to provide you with the care and service that you expect and deserve. As a specialty practice, we work closely with your primary care doctor/family doctor to help you achieve your best possible health. Reaching this goal requires a “partnership” between you and your doctors. As our “partner in health,” we ask you to help us in the following ways:

Keep Follow-up Appointments and Reschedule Missed Appointments

I understand that my doctor will want to know how my condition progresses after I leave the office. Returning to my doctor gives him or her a chance to check my condition and my response to treatment. During a follow-up appointment, my doctor might order tests, refer me to a specialist, prescribe medication, or even discover and treat a serious health condition. If I miss an appointment and don’t reschedule, I run the risk that my physician will not be able to detect and treat a serious health condition. I will make every effort to reschedule missed appointments as soon as possible.

Call the Office When I Do Not Hear the Results of Labs or Other Tests

I understand that my physician’s goal is to report my lab and test results to me as soon as possible. However, if I do not hear from my physician’s office within the time specified, I will call the office for my test results.

Inform My Doctor if I Decide Not to Follow His or Her Recommended Treatment Plan

I understand that after examining me, my doctor may make certain recommendations based on what her or she feels is best for my health. This might include prescribing medication, referring me to a specialist, ordering labs and other tests, or even asking me to return to the office within a certain period of time. I understand that not following my treatment plan can have serious negative effects on my health. I will let my doctor know whenever I decide not to follow his or her recommendations so that he or she may fully inform me of any risks associated with my decision to delay or refuse treatment.

Schedule Visits with My Primary Care Doctor for Routine Physical Exams and Other Recommended Health Screenings

I understand that my specialist doctor works closely with my primary care doctor. My specialist doctor does not treat conditions outside of his/her area of expertise. I will need to follow up with my primary care doctor for non-specialty care. My primary doctor will explain to me which regular health screenings are appropriate for my age, gender, and personal and family history. I understand I will need to complete these recommended health screenings (mammograms, immunizations, pap smears, etc). These screenings are tests that can help detect life-threatening diseases and conditions. If I visit my primary care doctor only for treatment of immediate problems and forget to arrange for regular health screenings, I put myself at risk of letting serious health problems go undetected. I will schedule regular visits with my doctor to complete my physical exam and to discuss these health screenings.

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Thank you for your partnership. As our patient, you have the right to be informed about your health care. We invite you, at any time, to ask questions, report symptoms, or discuss any concerns you may have. If you need more information about your health or conditions, please let us know.