Some Frequently Asked Questions
What is Neurologist?
A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in problems affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
Can I see Dr. Rathbone without a referral?
Because I am a specialist I only see patients by referral from another doctor.
Why did my doctor refer me to Dr. Rathbone?
The doctor who referred you asked my advice about one particular problem. My job is to advise them about that one problem, not to take over your entire medical care.
Sometimes I prescribe medicines, order investigations or other treatment. However, your family physician remains in overall charge of your case. After your visit I will write to the doctor who referred you, as well as any other physicians you are seeing and to you family doctor. You must continue to work through the doctor who referred you and your family doctor.
Where are the clinics held?
Most of my clinics are held at the Henderson Hospital, 711 Concession Street, Hamilton in the Ambulatory Care Clinic, on the first floor. Occasionally, I hold clinics at my office, Room #23 on the ground floor, 70 Wing at the Henderson Hospital.
Does Dr. Rathbone have clinics every day?
No. I work full time for McMaster University as a professor in the Department of Medicine. So in addition to seeing patients, I have teaching, research and administrative responsibilities. Sometimes these take me out of town and even abroad. So I am in the office for only a small part of my time.
Who should I call if I have difficulties?
Between visits, you should contact your family doctor about your medical problems, or go to the local emergency department if the problem is an emergency. Please do not call my office directly. If I am not there you might delay getting the help you need.
How does the doctor who referred me know what Dr. Rathbone thinks?
I write your family doctor and any other doctors who are involved in your care immediately after I have seen you. Your family doctor can then coordinate your medical care.
What will I do at the clinic?
Clerks at the front desk will register you. We will ask you to fill out the health questionnaire if you have not already done so. We use this questionnaire as a background to your current problem. Nursing staff will show you to an examination room where we will take a history and examine you.
The clinic is a McMaster University Teaching Unit. So, before you see me, you many be interviewed by a trainee in neurology; e.g. a senior medical student or a resident physician or by a clinical nurse specialist. All work under my close supervision. Hopefully they will answer many or all of your questions.
After one of the trainees has taken your history and examined you, I will join you and them and review your medical history and examination. Together we will discuss with you our opinion regarding the diagnosis of your problem, any further investigations we feel may be necessary and our recommended treatment.
We will concentrate on the particular problem for which you were referred. But we will inquire about your general health, because sometimes a previous illness or medical condition could have lead to your current problem.
Afterwards we will ask you to wait in the waiting room while the clerk at the desk books any tests or appointments and your follow-up with me. If we need to have blood tests the blood is often drawn by the nurse in the clinic before you leave.
Before you leave, we will give you a list of your appointments. Please keep it safe.
What if I do not wish to be seen by a medical student, resident or nurse clinician as well as by Dr. Rathbone?
As this is a University clinic, I hope you will welcome the advantages of having students and residents present. But if for some reason you do not wish to see anyone but me, you should make that request when you book your appointment.
What if I can't keep an appointment?
Please phone the appropriate department or office to let them know and arrange to rebook, then another patient can be booked into that time. OHIP does not cover missed appointments. So, if you do not give 24 hours notice of a cancellation, you may be personally billed for the visit.
Your follow-up appointment is arranged so I can get test results beforehand. Some test results take up to one month to receive after the test date. If one of your tests is delayed, please let me know so I can reschedule your follow-up appointment.
Who re-books test appointments if I fail to go?
If you do miss an appointment or test, please call the appropriate department or office to re-book it. The numbers to call are on your appointment sheet.
What if your office said they would contact me but I haven't heard anything?
Sometimes we promise to call you or write to you with some information. Usually we do. But even the best systems break down occasionally. So. If you have not heard from us after a reasonable amount of time, please contact my office by email, fax or letter.
What should I do if I move, change my name, get a new health card number or phone number?
Please be sure to let us know if you move or change your telephone or health card number. We may need to contact you because we hear of important test results needing urgent further treatment. As well, very occasionally we have to alter your appointments. (When we do, we try to give you as much notice as possible.) If we do not have your latest address and phone number we may not be able to reach you.
Do clinics run on time?
We try to keep the clinics on time. Sometimes unavoidable delays or emergencies happen which make the clinics run late. We appreciate your patience.
How long will my first appointment take?
If you haven't been to my clinic before, allow about ninety minutes to two hours from registration to the time you leave the clinic after any further tests and appointments have been booked. Often it is much quicker.
How long will my follow-up appointment take?
Allow thirty minutes to one hour from registration to leave after tests and appointments have been booked. It will depend on how complicated the follow-up is and how many tests must be booked. Often it is much quicker.
Can I have Dr. Rathbone deal with several problems on a single visit?
Your first appointment is booked for enough time to permit me to deal with the single problem for which you were referred to me. Your follow-up appointment is not long enough to deal with a new problem. If you develop a new problem, tell your family doctor about it. If your family doctor feels it is appropriate, they will book a new appointment for you with me. Then I can deal adequately with the new problem.
What if I have more difficulties with my problem before seeing Dr. Rathbone in follow-up?
If you have more difficulties with your ongoing problem call your family doctor who can assess you. Your family doctor can book another appointment with me if needed.
What if I have a lot of questions to ask Dr. Rathbone at my follow-up?
You should re-book into a larger time slot. Explain why you need a longer appointment, and I will re-book you.
Does Dr. Rathbone fill out forms?
Insurance companies or the Ministry of Transportation may need a neurologist to examine a person and send them a letter or complete a form. If you just bring in a form with you to a routine appointment, I will not be able to to complete it because there will not be time. If you need a form completed, or a letter for the Ministry of Transportation or something similar, please arrange an appointment for that purpose.
What if I need a prescription refill?
Please contact your pharmacy who can then call us to approve the refill. I only approve refills of medications I prescribe to patients who are under my direct care.
Can I get test results or discuss my medical problems over the telephone?
Tests are simply a guide for me and not an end in themselves. So I see each patient and assess them clinically when I have the test results. I do not discuss results over the phone. Please see the list of uninsured services and the fees.
Are all services covered by OHIP?
No, many services, including completion of many forms are not covered by OHIP. You will be billed for these services at the rate suggested by the Hamilton Academy of Medicine. Please see the list of uninsured services and the fees.
Dr. Michel Rathbone