Seeing a specialist

Medical specialists are doctors who have completed advanced education and training in a specific area of medicine. In most health systems you need a letter of referral from your primary care doctor (sometimes called a general practitioner or family doctor) to make an appointment to see one.

Your doctor may send you to a specialist if they think particular expertise is needed to diagnose or treat your condition. The specialist will usually report back to your doctor, who often remains your main point of contact and coordinates your care with input from specialists and other health professionals as needed.

Accessing a specialist#

Once your doctor has given you a referral letter, you can make an appointment to see a specialist, either at a specialist clinic within a public hospital or at a private clinic or hospital. The referral letter needs to be presented to the specialist before or at your first appointment.

Each hospital or specialist clinic has its own process for assessing urgency, accepting referral letters and making appointments. Ask the clinic how your referral will be handled.

Finding and choosing the right specialist#

Your doctor can help you find a specialist to address your health issue, and you may be offered a choice of several. You could also ask for recommendations from trusted sources, such as friends and family.

To decide who to see, you may want to consider the specialist’s:

• qualifications and experience
• location
• availability
• cost

Specialist fees#

Fees vary and depend on whether you are treated as a public or private patient and on how your care is funded. In a public hospital, specialist services may be provided at no charge to public patients, while seeing a specialist privately often means paying some or all of the fees yourself.

If you have private health insurance, it may cover some or all of the cost. The fee structure of individual specialists can also affect the cost. Ask your doctor and the specialist how much it will cost upfront and whether there are likely to be any further costs.

Some specialists charge a gap payment (or co-payment), where you pay part of the fee directly and the rest is covered through your health system or insurance. Some specialists also offer payment plans, where the full fee is paid off over time in smaller, regular instalments.

If you live a long way from specialist services, patient travel and accommodation assistance schemes may be able to help with some of the cost of travelling for care. Check what is available in your area and whether you are eligible.

Types of specialists#

Specialists work in all fields of medicine. Common roles include:

• anesthetist – administers anesthesia, monitors patients during surgery and treats chronic pain syndromes
• cardiologist – treats heart conditions
• dermatologist – treats skin conditions, including some skin cancers
• endocrinologist – treats conditions of the endocrine system, the organs that make hormones
• gastroenterologist – treats digestive disorders
• gynecologist – treats conditions of the female reproductive system and genital tract
• hematologist – treats conditions of the blood and blood-forming tissues
• neurologist – treats conditions of the nervous system
• neurosurgeon – performs surgery on the brain and nervous system
• obstetrician – cares for women during pregnancy and childbirth
• oncologist – treats cancer and other tumors
• ophthalmologist – treats eye injuries and conditions
• orthopedic surgeon – treats injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system
• otolaryngologist – treats conditions of the ear, nose, throat and neck
• pediatrician – treats infants, children and teenagers
• plastic surgeon – restores, reconstructs or changes the shape and appearance of facial and body features
• psychiatrist – treats people with mental and emotional health issues
• radiologist – uses medical imaging to diagnose and treat injury and disease
• respiratory physician – treats conditions and diseases of the lungs
• rheumatologist – treats conditions involving inflammation, muscle soreness or joint pain
• urologist – treats the urinary tract and the male reproductive system

Preparing for your specialist visit#

To get the most out of your visit, it helps to prepare. Before you go, think about:

• having your referral letter, any test results and relevant insurance or benefits details ready
• collecting your health history, including relevant test results
• writing down a list of your symptoms, if you have any
• noting any lifestyle activities the specialist should know about
• writing down any other treatments you are receiving, including medications

If you require an interpreter or have other needs, such as wheelchair access, a specialist of the same gender, or experience with particular needs, let the office staff know when you book.

During the specialist visit#

Be honest and try to have an open discussion. The information you give about yourself, your concerns and your situation is important, and your specialist is trained to listen.

Things you should mention include:

• your symptoms, what they are and how long you have had them
• any recent medical appointments or other treatments
• any medications, vitamins, supplements, medicinal herbs or other nutritional products you take
• your treatment preferences

Your specialist can explain:

• your diagnosis and test results
• any treatments or procedures they suggest, and other options such as alternatives to surgery
• how each treatment will help you
• the risks or side effects of each treatment
• how much time you have before you need to make a decision

It can help to take notes during your visit so you can review them later. If you do not understand something, ask the specialist to explain it further. If you believe the advice or suggested treatment is not right for you, tell the specialist your reasons.

It is a good idea to make a list of any questions and put the most important ones at the top, particularly if you are feeling stressed about your diagnosis. Questions you may want to ask include:

• What is my diagnosis?
• What treatment do you recommend, and why?
• What experience have you had with this treatment or procedure?
• How effective is this treatment, and are there any side effects or risks?
• How soon can I have this treatment, and will your office contact me if another patient cancels?
• What are the risks of not having the treatment, and what other options do I have?
• What should I do if I need to delay or cancel the treatment?
• How long am I likely to be in hospital, and how long should recovery take?
• What sort of care will I need at home afterwards?
• Is there anything I should stop or avoid doing, or anything I can do to help myself?

After your specialist visit#

After your appointment:

• make sure you know how to take your medication or treatment; if you cannot remember, ask your pharmacist
• follow up on test results – find out who to contact and when your results will be ready
• make any further appointments you have been told you need
• call the specialist’s office if you have more questions

Remember to speak with your referring doctor about the specialist visit. Your specialist should have reported back about your results, diagnosis or treatment, and your doctor may have further information or be able to help with the next step.

Getting a second opinion#

It is fine to see another specialist for a second opinion if you are unsure about a diagnosis or a suggested treatment. This may involve getting another referral from your doctor. If you decide to seek a second opinion, do it as soon as possible, because if you delay and your condition changes, you may receive conflicting advice.

Key points#

• You usually need a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist.
• Your doctor can help you find a specialist and coordinates your overall care.
• Ask about costs upfront, including any gap payments, and check what your insurance or health system covers.
• Prepare questions, be open during your visit, and follow up on results and next steps afterwards.
• It is fine to seek a second opinion, and it is best to do so promptly.

Where to get help#