Q. How much time should I allow for my first visit?
A. You should arrive early for your first visit in order to allow yourself time to fill out a new patient history, demographics, insurance information, etc. You can save a considerable amount of time by downloading these forms from the website and bringing the completed forms with you. However, you still need to allow at least 15 or 20 min. for the office staff to process the forms. We schedule initial visits for 40 minutes of time spent with Dr. Spitzer. However, please understand that Dr. Spitzer likes to provide each patient with a thorough explanation of their condition and treatment plan and to answer all their questions. Some patients may require longer or even shorter evaluation periods.
Q.What can I expect when I arrived for the first visit?
A. When you arrive you will be asked to sign in. You will be given various forms to fill out including a new patient history, demographics, insurance information, etc. You can save a considerable amount of time by downloading these forms from the website and bringing the completed forms with you. You must bring your insurance card and a form of photo ID. These will be copied and placed in the chart. The staff will also ask you to pay your co-pay (if you have one) at this time. You may pay this by cash, check or credit or debit card. After you have completed the paperwork and the front desk staff has processed your registration you will meet with Dr. Spitzer.
Q. Should I bring any past medical record to my initial appointment?
A. Past medical records are always helpful. The most important records that you can bring with you are past biopsies, Pap tests and cultures. To save time during your first visit, you can fax a copy of your records to our office so they can be scanned into your chart before the visit. Our fax number is 516- 467-1387.
Q. I have severe symptoms and don't feel that I can wait to be treated before my next visit. What should I do?
A.In order to provide you with the most accurate diagnosis, it is beneficial if you are experiencing symptoms at the time of your first visit. If you have been treated for vaginitis within the past couple of weeks and we do not find vaginitis at the time of your visit, it may be impossible to tell if you had vaginitis that was treated or you never had vaginitis at all. As such, we recommend that for the two weeks prior to your appointment, you avoid any vaginal treatments or douches. If you don't feel that you can wait for treatment we suggest that you call the office to see if you can get an earlier appointment.
Q. Should I keep my appointment if I am having my period?
A. Usually the answer is yes. However, if you are bleeding very heavily (assuming that heavy bleeding is not your problem) it may be best to postpone the visit. Light bleeding, spotting or staining do not usually interfere with most examinations.
Q. What can I expect from the first visit?
A. First, Dr. Spitzer will review in detail the history of the symptoms and complaints that brought you to the office. He will then review with you, in detail, your past medical and surgical history, medications, allergies, family history, etc. as you completed on the new patient history form. He will then do a physical examination directed towards your complaints. This will likely include a colposcopy of the cervix, vagina and or vulva (depending on the complaint). If a biopsy is necessary it will be done. Smears and cultures of your vaginal discharge will be done if necessary. You will then get dressed and return to the consultation room where Dr. Spitzer will provide you with a thorough explanation of your condition and treatment plan and to answer all their questions. No parts of the visit will be rushed, and you will not leave until all of your questions have been answered.
Q. Will my referring physician receive a letter concerning my diagnosis and treatment?
A. A consultation letter will be mailed to your physician detailing your examination, test results, diagnosis and plan of treatment unless you specifically request that we do not. Because Dr. Spitzer needs to wait for test results before concluding your diagnosis and treatment plan, the letter will not go out until all test results are back.
Q. How do I get the results of my tests?
A. Dr. Spitzer will tell you when you can expect the results to be ready. You are expected to call for the results. The best time to call is when Dr. Spitzer is not seeing patients. During office hours Dr. Spitzer will not interrupt to answer phone calls except in an emergency. This is so as not to unnecessarily delay the patient to have an appointment that day. Please leave a number where Dr. Spitzer can reach you both during the day and in the evening. Dr. Spitzer will most likely return your call after office hours.
Q. What should I do if my symptoms are not improving with the prescribed treatment?
A. Even if you are not feeling better right away, we recommend that you continue with the prescribed treatment until your next appointment. This is due to the fact that any new treatment may require some time before you notice improvement in your symptoms. If by your next scheduled appointment your symptoms have not improved, the treatment will be reevaluated. If the treatment is making you feel worse or if you have an unexpected reaction to treatment, please call the office. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Q. What will happen at follow-up visits?
A. First, you will discuss with Dr. Spitzer how you have been feeling since your last visit and how the management plan is working for you. If Dr. Spitzer has not already discussed with you the results of the tests from the last visit, they will be discussed now. Any questions which may have come up since your last visit will be answered as well. Next, an exam will be performed to evaluate your response to the prescribed treatment. Again, this will likely include a colposcopy of the cervix, vagina and or vulva (depending on your problem). If a biopsy is necessary it will be done. Biopsies of the vulva (the skin on the outside) are usually not necessary. Biopsies of the cervix are more common. Smears and cultures of your vaginal discharge will be done if necessary. Finally, we will discuss any necessary changes to your treatment plan, answer any additional questions and arrange for further follow-up if necessary.
Q. Can I email Dr. Spitzer with questions or problems?
A. You can email Dr. Spitzer at DrSpitzer@colposcopycenter.com. He will respond to you by email by the end of the next business day, if not sooner. Please remember that email is not considered a secure system in terms of privacy, so do not transmit any sensitive information. If you communicate with Dr. Spitzer by e-mail you are agreeing to a response by e-mail and are relinquishing any privacy that might be lost by that form of communication. | 
