Patient Information

EMG brochure

What is a physiatrist?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physiatrist

Patient questionnaire downloads

Hippa downloads

Injection information-preparing for your injection

About your appointment:

Maintaining a schedule is an important part of meeting and exceeding patient needs. Please allow enough time to arrive on time for your appointment by familiarizing yourself with our location and parking (click here for map and directions).

When to arrive:  For your first visit to the clinic, please arrive 15-20 minutes before your appointment time in order to complete the registration process.  For follow up visits, please arrive promptly at the appointed time.  Typically, for first visits you can expect to spend approximately 60 minutes at the office and for follow up visits, allow 30-45 minutes.  These are approximations and actual amount of time may vary, sometimes due to factors beyond our control.

What to bring: Please bring a picture I.D., social security number, and insurance information.  Bring with you as much detailed information about your condition as possible. This may include x-rays, MRI’s, EMG’s, and other records.  Also, bring in your medications.

Be prepared: In the time leading up to your appointment, take some time to takes notes and recall the history of your condition.  That is, exactly where you hurt, the date it began, what you where doing at the time, what tests you have had and their results, what treatments you have tried, what activities and positions seem to make your condition worse and which seem to give you relief.  If you have had previous similar problems, we will need to know the details: when, how many times, what made you better, how long did they last, off work dates, other doctors seen, etc.  This will greatly help us to better understand and diagnose your condition.

Tune in to the radio show:  Dr. Portner is the host of a call in live radio show every Saturday morning from 7-8am (AM 830 KHVH).  During the show, Dr. Portner talks to real people with real problems. This may give you a preview of the types of questions you may be asked during your own office visit.  Additionally, you may decide call in and ask your own questions.

Downloads: New patient registration forms are available for download here.  If possible, please print them out, complete the forms at home and mail back to us or bring them in with you at the time of your appointment.

What to wear: Please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.  Wearing swim suits (2 piece for women), beneath your clothes can be convenient.  Shorts or baggy pants are practical for a knee exam, for example.  Shoes: if you are a runner, athlete, or have a foot problem, bring in your shoes.  Wearing slippers or sandals that are easy to remove and put back on, is very practical.

Who to bring with you: Because our waiting room area is limited we ask that you strictly limit the number of people you bring with you.  Come alone, if possible.  If you have children please try to arrange for a babysitter (of course, we will understand if you must bring them along).  If you have trouble with English, try to bring an interpreter.  If you need assistance in any way, then of course bring your helper.  If you are a minor, we will need your parent or guardian to sign your documents.

Relax: One of our goals is to make every visit comfortable and pleasant by treating the patient with respect and friendliness.  Don’t worry.  Be content with the fact that you are doing something positive for yourself.  You are about to be professionally guided on your road to relief and recovery.