Consultation Process

Getting Appointments?
This can be obtained by calling, messaging by SMS or WhatsApp to 70939 49596. It can also be requested on our website (https://www.progressgastrocare.com/book-an-appointment/) but for same-day appointments it is better to call. Walk-in patients without prior appointment are requested to wait until other appointments are finished. Patients who are very sick and not even able to walk can call 70939 49596 to know whether to meet same doctor in a hospital. Sunday appointments are available twice a month.
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Registration at the clinic
Basic details like name, place and mobile number are collected. A mobile number with WhatsApp is requested so that test reports or any communication from a doctor can be sent.
Screening by Nurse
This is to identify sick patients and those in urgency so that quicker treatment can be given. BP, pulse, oxygen saturation, weight etc. are recorded.
Doctor Consultation
This is a one-to-one meeting with the doctor preferably in the presence of accompanying relatives. Consultation is possible in English, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu or Kannada. This will involve writing down the problems of the patient, examination, diagnosis and planning treatment. Counselling is done to address all concerns of the patient before he or she leaves the room. The entire consultation sheet including doctor’s observations , plan of action etc and not just the medicine sheet is given to the patient. Enough time is spent to help the patient understand the nature of their disease, consequences and treatment plan using charts, graphics, plastic models, diagrams, etc. This is skipped for patients who may get apprehensive on knowing details.
Treatment Plan

This may include lab tests, ultrasound scan tests, injections or medicines along with counselling and discussion depending on the condition. Emphasis is laid on diet precautions and lifestyle counselling relevant to the disease and not only on medicine prescription. A step ladder approach is taken where initially milder medicines are given and if needed next level medicines. Surgery is suggested where it is necessary. Treatment is planned keeping in mind patient’s preferences and economic conditions even if requiring hospitalisations. Immediate treatment is provided in urgent and emergency cases.

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Cross Consultations
This refers to patients who need opinions from other doctors. Patients can avail of opinion of both surgical and medical gastroenterologist in same consultation fees if done in a week. Consultation with other specialists who visit daily on appointment basis such as cardiologist, urologist, medical oncologist, surgical oncologist, radiation oncologist, gynaecologist and fertility specialist,diabetes specialist , general surgeon etc can be obtained. Unlike any other outpatient centre, a dietician is available everyday for diet counselling.
Lab tests
The lab is tied up with one of the best chains of labs in the country. It is ISO certified, NABH and NABL accredited.  Lab service is available at the centre and home collection is also possible. For fasting samples, the centre is open by 830 a.m. for collection or else home collection can be arranged. Lab service is open from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm Monday to Saturday. Most of the morning samples are reported by evening and review consultation with the same doctor is possible on the same day, unlike the scenario in most hospitals. 
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Ultrasound

Advanced ultrasound scan equipment is available.
Ultrasound is done by appointments Monday to Saturday. It is done by senior radiologists. Ultrasound of various body parts as requested by doctor can be done. Doppler scan which studies blood flow patterns through blood vessels to study the organs can be done.

Medicines
Medicines are available as per doctor’s prescription. Any doubts about the medicines can be clarified with doctor  unlike other places.  For some patients who require immediate treatment,  IV fluids (drips/saline) and certain injections can be administered. 
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Payment options
Payment options are cash, card and UPI. Receipts may be obtained at the counter.
Review appointments
This is better booked before leaving as it helps us to schedule our work flow and more importantly patient’s time too. It can be booked later too by calling (better) or by sending an SMS or WhatsApp message to 70939 49596.