Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's

Who is an endoscopist?

An endoscopist is a doctor who has specialised training in endoscopic procedures of the digestive tract, including upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

He specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases of digestive organs. The digestive
organs include the digestive tract -- oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine -- as well as related organs -- the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

What are the common problems evaluated by an endoscopist?

Problems associated with the following areas are normally evaluated by a endoscopist
are:

• Abdominal pain
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Rectal bleeding
• Heartburn
• Swallowing trouble
• Weight loss
• Jaundice

Who is a colorectal surgeon?

Colorectal surgeons are experts in the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of colon
and rectal problems. They have completed advanced training in the treatment of
colon and rectal problems in addition to full training in general surgery. Colon and
rectal surgeons treat benign and malignant conditions, perform routine screening examinations and surgically treat problems when necessary.

What should I bring with me when I come for a scheduled office appointment?

• Your insurance information
• A referral from your General Practitioner or family doctor.
• All pertinent x-ray reports and test results from your primary care or referring physician
• A list of all medications that you are currently taking
• A list of any known drug allergies and the symptoms you may have from taking these medicines

Are my medical records kept private and confidential?

Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff are bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records.

Ordinarily we will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent.

Do I need a referral to make an appointment?

Most medical specialists will accept only referred patients. This is partly to try to ensure that the specialist you are seeing is appropriate for you and your condition, and also because Medicare pays higher rebates for specialist services if you have been referred.

How can my family doctor help me to obtain specialist medical care?

Before seeing any medical specialist, it is always preferable to talk to your own family doctor, who can discuss your condition with you and advise on whether any specialist care is appropriate. If it is, he or she can help you to choose the specialist best suited to your needs. Your family doctor can help the specialist to care for you better by providing relevant information about your health. Communicating with the specialist will also enable your family doctor to care for you better during and after your specialist treatment.

What should I expect during first visit?

Your first trip to the doctor will probably be where he will study your files from your doctor and then prescribe some diagnostic tests for you. During your initial visit, the doctor will explain the specific procedure you want, help you visualize the results and go over the risks. He may do a physical and ask you a bunch of questions. Once you go and have the test done then he will decide what your diagnosis and appropriate treatment.