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Southern Alberta HIV Clinic - Medical Visits

 

 

Southern Alberta HIV Clinic

Information for Patients

Medical Visits

First Medical Visit | Follow-Up Visits | Your Family Doctor | Quick Links

First Medical Visit at the Southern Alberta Clinic

Your first medical visit after the pre-assessment clinic could easily last several hours, so please prepare yourself for that length of visit. You may see several people on your first visit, including the nurse, the doctor, and the pharmacist.

One of the nurses will begin your medical assessment, which will include taking your vital signs, height, and weight. The nurse will also be asking questions about your medical history. This part of your assessment usually takes about 15 minutes.

A doctor will then complete the medical assessment. This may include a physical examination as well as questions about your past medical history. Your lab results from the pre-assessment clinic will also be discussed with you. This is a good chance for you to ask any questions that you may have. It may be helpful for you to write down some of your questions before your visit so that you will remember to ask.

At your first clinic visit, a decision will be made between you and your doctor about how to best manage your HIV care. If there is a decision to start medications, the pharmacist will spend some time with you reviewing such things as the purpose and benefits of the medication, as well as how and when to take it.

Always make your next medical appointment before you leave to ensure you get the time and date that works best for you. Patients are usually seen every three months.

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Follow-Up Visits at the Southern Alberta Clinic

At the appointment, a clinic nurse will see you to take your weight, temperature, blood pressure and ask you some questions regarding your health since your last clinic visit.

Please bring your medications with you for each medical visit.

Clinic services are never double-booked but occasionally we may be late or appear to be running late if one patient needs more care or a group of patients arrives simultaneously.

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Your Family Doctor

Continue to see your family doctor. The Southern Alberta Clinic is a specialty clinic dealing with HIV and HIV-related issues. Your family doctor will continue to provide care for non-HIV related issues.

After your clinic visit, the Southern Alberta Clinic will communicate with your family doctor about your progress and treatments. Lab results will be sent to both the Southern Alberta Clinic and your family doctor.

If you are looking for a family doctor who is accepting new patients, visit www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/doctor/index.html.

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