Patient Care

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.

1. Putting your patient at ease

I 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 lifestyle 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

It is 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.

If your patient’s condition is urgent, feel free to call and we will make suitable arrangements for them.

I practice in both the public and private medical spheres. If it is appropriate, I can also see your patients in the Prince of Wales Hospital outpatient clinic, which is a bulk billing service.

If you have any questions please feel free to call me on 02 9650 4893 or via ralphstanford@powspine.com.au.

Posted 17 June 2019