The Essence of What was a Consultation in Internal Medicine
Every consultation with a patient entails to record details of current complaints, if any; to conduct a functional enquiry to garnish information concerning all the systems (such as neurological, endocrine glands, head and neck, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, kidneys and genito-urinary tract, musculoskeletal, skin); to itemize past and current medications; to detail past history of any illnesses; to document significant family history; and, to conduct a complete physical examination. From all of this, the patient is informed either that there is no evidence for disease or disorder, or, is given a list of provisional diagnostics. Should the patient require management by a different medical specialty, a referral is provided. What follows is a requisition for a set of laboratory tests which are needed to confirm that there is no disease or disorder, or, to support a particular diagnosis. The value of a laboratory test is dependent on the question asked. ECG, blood and urine testing facilities affiliated with CDL, a private laboratory, are available on site; but, patients are free to choose whichever laboratory is preferred, including Québec CLSC clinics or Québec hospitals. The consultation includes a review of these laboratory results to produce a list of conclusive diagnostics. Patients are encouraged to study these diagnostics by referring to on-line databases, such as UpToDate; and, free links on-site are provided for this purpose. Finally, based on information from the U.S. National Institutes of Health and from UpToDate, appropriate therapeutic programs are generated which include prescriptions for medications and advice on lifestyle measures (such as nutrition, exercise, and behavioural patterns). Patients are encouraged to participate in the selection of which therapeutic program is most appropriate, based on benefit/risk ratio and other personal considerations. Arrangements are made for follow-up consultations.
A first consultation is scheduled always for one hour and a return visit is scheduled normally for half hour (see page on Fees). The facilities at Les Cours Medical Centre are well-appointed and the decor is considered luxurious (see page on Directions). The team includes doctor (myself), nurses and administrators. All records are electronic and encrypted. Confidentiality is ensured. There is every attempt is to allow for easy communication in person, or by telephone, fax, e-mail, courier or post (see page on Contacts).
Every consultation with a patient entails to record details of current complaints, if any; to conduct a functional enquiry to garnish information concerning all the systems (such as neurological, endocrine glands, head and neck, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, kidneys and genito-urinary tract, musculoskeletal, skin); to itemize past and current medications; to detail past history of any illnesses; to document significant family history; and, to conduct a complete physical examination. From all of this, the patient is informed either that there is no evidence for disease or disorder, or, is given a list of provisional diagnostics. Should the patient require management by a different medical specialty, a referral is provided. What follows is a requisition for a set of laboratory tests which are needed to confirm that there is no disease or disorder, or, to support a particular diagnosis. The value of a laboratory test is dependent on the question asked. ECG, blood and urine testing facilities affiliated with CDL, a private laboratory, are available on site; but, patients are free to choose whichever laboratory is preferred, including Québec CLSC clinics or Québec hospitals. The consultation includes a review of these laboratory results to produce a list of conclusive diagnostics. Patients are encouraged to study these diagnostics by referring to on-line databases, such as UpToDate; and, free links on-site are provided for this purpose. Finally, based on information from the U.S. National Institutes of Health and from UpToDate, appropriate therapeutic programs are generated which include prescriptions for medications and advice on lifestyle measures (such as nutrition, exercise, and behavioural patterns). Patients are encouraged to participate in the selection of which therapeutic program is most appropriate, based on benefit/risk ratio and other personal considerations. Arrangements are made for follow-up consultations.
A first consultation is scheduled always for one hour and a return visit is scheduled normally for half hour (see page on Fees). The facilities at Les Cours Medical Centre are well-appointed and the decor is considered luxurious (see page on Directions). The team includes doctor (myself), nurses and administrators. All records are electronic and encrypted. Confidentiality is ensured. There is every attempt is to allow for easy communication in person, or by telephone, fax, e-mail, courier or post (see page on Contacts).