Check answers to these frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Shoulder Clinic SA
Do I need a referral to see a clinician at Shoulder Clinic SA?
No referral is needed to attend Shoulder Clinic SA. Although some patients may be referred by their general practitioner, a specialist or other healthcare provider, you are welcome to book an appointment without a referral.
Once we’ve completed an initial assessment of your specific condition, we’ll advise you of the proposed treatment pathway, which may involve referral to one of our inhouse physiotherapists, chiropractors, sports medicine doctors, neurosurgeons, or specialist orthopaedic shoulder surgeons.
What do I bring to my first appointment at Shoulder Clinic SA?
When you call to book your first appointment at Shoulder Clinic SA, we will advise you about what to bring to your appointment. The following list is comprehensive and may not apply to every patient:
- Medicare or DVA Health Card
- Workcover claim number, if you have a work related injury
- Referral letter from your general practitioner if you are seeing one of our sports medicine doctors or specialist orthopaedic shoulder surgeon
- Copies of relevant medical records relating to your shoulder, including x-rays, MRI, CT scans, bone scans, and ultrasounds
- Progress letter from any clinician (for example, physiotherapist) you’ve previously seen in relation to your shoulder
- Operation report relating to previous surgery for your shoulder
- List of all medications you are currently taking, together with the dosage
- List of all known drug allergies and corresponding symptoms from these medications
- Relevant medical information for hospital admittance.
If you have any questions about what to bring to your first appointment, please be sure to speak with our reception team, who can provide clear advice about what to bring in relation to your specific shoulder condition. We also ask that you arrive five to ten minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to allow us to document any relevant information for the consultation.
Medicare rebates vary depending on the clinician with whom you have your appointment.
Will I need an x-ray before my first appointment at Shoulder Clinic SA?
No, you will not need an x-ray before your first appointment at Shoulder Clinic SA. If it’s determined that x-rays or other diagnostic investigations are required, we will organise this for you.
Depending on your shoulder condition, it may be necessary to obtain specific views, and these will be advised by your the the clinician who is caring for you. We will keep you informed every step of the way, ensuring you understand the purpose of any investigation and how it will inform our diagnosis and treatment.
What should I wear to my appointment at Shoulder Clinic SA?
When you attend your appointment at Shoulder Clinic SA we ask that you wear comfortable clothing, and preferably a separate top and bottom. In the interests of personal comfort and respect, we ask all females attending appointments wear undergarments.
This measure enables the shoulders, including shoulder blades, to be examined when outer garments are removed.
We understand that due to unforeseen circumstances, it is necessary to cancel an appointment. We ask patients to respect the time of Shoulder Clinic SA’s clinicians and provide 48 hours notice of a cancellation. Cancellations made within 48 hours of a scheduled appointment will incur a cancellation fee.
We appreciate that occasionally schedules can be affected by factors beyond our immediate control, which may result in you arriving late for your appointment. If this is the case, we ask that you call Shoulder Clinic SA on 08 8293 8524 to let us know your estimated arrival time. This allows us to make adjustments in the schedule and advise the clinician you are seeing.
We respect your time and are committed to maintaining punctuality around appointment times. For this reason, we ask patients to arrive five to ten minutes prior to their scheduled appointment as this allows ample time for us to document any relevant information for your consultation.