What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)?
What are my patient Rights and Responsibilities?
How do I schedule an appointment?
Do you accept walk-ins?
How do I get my lab and test results?
How are Prescription refills handled?
How do I contact someone after hours or in an emergency?
How can I receive a copy of my medical records?
What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)?
If you're like most people, you've been going to a doctor since you were born and perhaps didn't know if you were seeing a D.O. (osteopathic physician) or an M.D. (allopathic physician). You may not even be aware that there are two types of complete physicians in the United States.
The fact is, both D.O.s and M.D.s are fully qualified physicians licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication. Is there any difference between these two kinds of doctors? Yes. And no.
- Osteopathic medical schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians.
- D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your body as integrated whole.
- Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive health care.
- D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system -- your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. With OMT, osteopathic physicians use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body’s natural tendency toward good health. By combining all available medical procedures with OMT, D.O.s offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.
Treating Our Family and Yours.
American Osteopathic Association Copyright 2003-2006
What are my patient Rights and Responsibilities?
Your Rights as a Patient
- At all times you have the right to be treated with respect and consideration.
- You have the right to review the records pertaining to your medical care and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary, except when restricted by law.
- You have the right for your medical records and communications to be treated as confidential so as to protect your privacy.
- Your physician or nurse practitioner should help you understand any information and options concerning the diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition. You should also be informed of any risks involved before giving consent for such treatment.
- You have the right to refuse treatment or to discontinue treatment within legal boundaries. You will be informed of possible consequences should you refuse treatment.
- You have the right to an explanation of your bill regardless of insurance status.
- You have the right to make a formal complaint at any time you feel these rights have been neglected.
- You have the right to have an advance directive concerning treatment or designation of a surrogate decision maker.
Your Responsibilities as a Patient
- You are responsible to provide us with accurate and current information regarding your past and present illnesses/complaints, hospitalizations, and medications, as well as your address, telephone numbers, and insurance information.
- You are responsible to inform your physician or nurse practitioner if you do not understand the recommended treatment and to notify him/her of any changes in your condition.
- You are responsible to follow physician's instructions and to keep appointments as advised by your physician.
- You are responsible to fulfill your financial obligations.
- You are responsible to be considerate of other patients in the clinic and to treat our staff with courtesy and respect.
How do I schedule an appointment?
All patients should bring a list of any medications they are currently taking, as well as their insurance card and their driver's license when coming in for an appointment.
Do you accept walk-ins?
We realize that at times our patients have urgent needs that will not allow them to wait several days for an appointment. When these needs arise, please call us at 503-335-8700, and we will make every effort to get you in the same day.
How do I get my lab and test results?
Most lab and test results are available within 24 hours except in the case of a CT scan, MRI, pathology report or culture. Once they are complete, they are added to our records and sent first to the Physician for review and follow-up. After the Physician reviews the report, it is available for the Medical Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or the Physician to communicate the results to you.
If, after 48 hours, you have NOT yet heard or been given the results of your lab test, please contact us and we should be able to have the nurse provide that information for you.
How are Prescription refills handled?
Our prescription refills policy requires 48 hour advanced notice. Refills requests will not be filled after hours or on weekends.
How do I contact someone after hours or in an emergency?
After our normal office hours, you may contact the on call physician at 503-241-2240. This number is for emergencies only. It should not be used for prescription refills. If you have a life threatening emergency, go to the emergency room nearest to you. The hospital Emergency Room Physician will contact your primary care physician and they will jointly decide how to best treat your condition.
How can I receive a copy of my medical records?
Records may be transferred to another physician's office or hospital as a complimentary service. There is a 50¢ per page fee for records copied for insurance, legal, and individual purposes. We must have a signed release before releasing patient records. Please allow 10 days processing time.