For Patients

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a Urologist?

An urologist is a physician who has specialized knowledge and skill regarding problems of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. The male and female urinary tract include kidney, ureters, bladder and urethra -- as well as the related organs - testes, prostate, penis, epidydimis, seminal vesicles and associated glands.

Are my medical records kept private and confidential?

Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff are bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records.

Ordinarily we will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent.

Do I need a referral to make an appointment?

Most medical specialists will accept only referred patients. This is partly to try to ensure that the specialist you are seeing is appropriate for you and your condition, and also because Medicare pays higher rebates for specialist services if you have been referred.

How can my family doctor help me to obtain specialist medical care?

Before seeing any medical specialist, it is always preferable to talk to your own family doctor, who can discuss your condition with you and advise on whether any specialist care is appropriate. If it is, he or she can help you to choose the specialist best suited to your needs. Your family doctor can help the specialist to care for you better by providing relevant information about your health. Communicating with the specialist will also enable your family doctor to care for you better during and after your specialist treatment.

What should I expect during first visit?

Your first trip to the urologist will probably be where he will study your files from your doctor and then prescribe some diagnostic tests for you. During your initial visit, the doctor will explain the specific procedure you want, help you visualize the results and go over the risks. He may do a physical examination and ask you a bunch of questions. Once you go and have the test done then he will decide what your diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

 

Consultation Preparation

What to bring to your appointment:

• GP (or specialist) referral letter
• All pathology results
• All CT, x-ray, ultrasound, MRI and/ or bone scan films (or disc) and reports

PSA Screening Guidelines

I would suggest that a single elevated PSA should be repeated to ensure that it is truly elevated. If there are any associated lower urinary tract symptoms, antibiotics like Bactrim can be tried and the PSA repeated 2 weeks later. Treat suspected prostatitis with a Quinolone or Bactrim for 2-4 weeks.

Practice Locations for Appointments:

Westmead Private Hospital

Suite 12B, Mons & Darcy Rds, Westmead, NSW 2145

Macquarie University Clinic

Suite 304/2 Technology Pl, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109

 

Are You at Risk for Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells of the prostate gland. It is the second most common cancer among Australian men. Prostate cancer is rarely seen in men under the age of 50 and is more common in older men.

The prostate gland encircles the tube that connects your bladder to your genitals. The initial symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty with urination, slow and interrupted urine flow, increased urinary frequency, needing to urinate at night, and incomplete urination. In advanced stages of prostate cancer there may be blood in the urine, pain with urination, and pelvic or lower back pain.

The risk factors for prostate cancer include

• Family History of prostate or breast cancer
• Ethnic background
• Obesity

The most common screening tests for prostate cancer include digital rectal exam and PSA test.

 

Self Assessment Form

International Prostate Symptoms Score (I-PSS)

Not at All Less than 1 time in 5 Less than half the time About half the time More than half the time Almost always Your score Incomplete Emptying Over the past month, how often have you had a sensation of not emptying your bladder completely after you finished urinating? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Frequency Over the past month, how often have you had to urinate again less than two hours after you finished urinating? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Intermittency Over the past month, how often have you found you stopped & started again several times when urinating? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Urgency Over the past month, how often have you found it difficult to postpone urination? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Weak Stream Over the past month, how often have you had a weak urinary stream? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Straining Over the past month, how often have you had to push or strain to urinate? 0 1 2 3 4 5   None 1 Times 2 Times 3 Times 4 Times 5 Times   Nocturia Over the past month, how many limes did you most typically get up to urinate from the time you went to bed at night until the time you got up in the morning? 0 1 2 3 4 5   If your score is over 25 it may be worthwhile seeing a doctor. Quality of life due to urinary symptoms If you were to spend the Rest of your life with your Urinary condition just the Way it is now, how would you feel about that? 0 1 2 3 4 5 If your score is over 25 it may be worthwhile seeing a doctor. Delighted Pleased Mostly Satisfied Mixed Mostly Dissatisfied Unhappy Terrible