The First Visit

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Upon check-in with the receptionist, you will be asked to fill out a comprehensive review of your medical history. It is helpful to accurately complete this detailed questionnaire. If you would like to prepare this information before your visit, you may click here to view and print these forms. You may also obtain those forms at our office when you arrive for your scheduled appointment.

Our staff will first review the questionnaire with the patient and then the physician will review the history and perform a general physical examination. If tests have been requested by your primary care physician and those tests were done at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, we will have a copy of those tests. Otherwise, some initial tests may be necessary, which may include blood and stool analysis. Our lab will obtain the necessary samples. Additional testing may be necessary after the physician reviews your history and completes the physical examination. 

Endoscopic examination of the esophagus and stomach (upper endoscopy) or large intestine (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) may be scheduled. These procedures are done at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, located in close proximity to Attleboro Gastroenterology. The Sigmoidoscopy is performed in our office and may be scheduled for a later office visit. 

Information regarding these procedures and preparation instructions are explained by our medical staff. This information is also available on our website in the Patient Education section, under Procedures and under Prep. 

At the completion of the visit, the physician will discuss the possible problems or diagnosis and recommend additional studies and/or outline a treatment program. Educational material and dietary information are provided to reinforce the discussion and help in treatment. This information is also available on our website.

Other Tests - In order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is often necessary to perform additional tests. Most blood tests, urine, and some stool tests are done in the office. When necessary, other studies are done at the hospital. Managed health care plans such as HMOs require lab studies and all x-ray and ultrasound exams to be done or scheduled through the primary care physician's office.