Your patient may be in considerable discomfort and/or have significant anxieties by the time they meet me.
This is understandable because spinal conditions can be debilitating, and spinal surgery is a serious matter.
There are 5 core principles that underpin everything I do as an orthopaedic spine surgeon.
1. Putting your patient at ease
I usually spend at least half an hour with your patient in the first consultation. I answer their questions and explain their medical conditions in plain English to try and put their mind at ease.
2. A thorough diagnosis
I take a detailed medical history and conduct a physical examination to confirm the diagnosis. As you may appreciate this is important and takes time.
3. Surgery only when needed
As part of the assessment I will review all the modalities available to treat your patient. Many conditions improve with time or life style adjustments and the patient is happy with reassurance. At other times surgery is just not appropriate even when a patient’s condition is resistant to other types of treatment.
In fact, I only operate when I am convinced your patient will have a better quality of life.
4. Informed decisions
Your patient’s well-being at stake. It is important to me that they understand their condition and the treatment options available.
I will send you a detailed report outlining my diagnosis and recommended treatment. Please feel free to call or email me at any stage to discuss any aspect of their proposed treatment.
5. End to end patient care
Should your patient require surgery I am with them every step of the way and follow-up long after the surgery is finished. It is their well-being that matters most.
Note also that if your patient’s condition is urgent please feel to call the rooms and we will make suitable arrangements for them.
Please note that I practice in both the public and private medical spheres. If it is appropriate, I can also see your patients in the POWH outpatient clinic which is a bulk billing service.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call on (02) 9650 4893 or email info@powspine.com.au.
Dr Ralph Stanford, Orthopaedic spine surgeon.
Dr Ralph Stanford, Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon