Medical Examination in Toronto: Review

[Golden_State 2]

Hi everyone,

I just returned from my medical at Dr. Seiden and Associates in Toronto. Here are some notes about my experience.

Arrived at 6:50. The doors open at 6:30 so there were a few people waiting in the waiting room. I believe I was the 4th person to get there. The BEST thing you can do regarding the medical is get there early. Ideally, at least 15 minutes before the clinic opens (between 6:30 and 6:45 would be good). When I sat down in the waiting room at 7, there were four people. Ten minutes later, it was full. You'll save yourself lots of time by getting there early.

The receptionist takes your appointment letter from Montreal (or packet 3 letter) and you wait in the waiting room. Then, you see an administrator who takes your photos, money, immunization records, and photo ID. I did the X Ray first, followed by the exam, and then the blood work. The total time spent with the various medical staff was about 20 minutes (5 for the X Ray, 2 for the blood, and about 10-15 for the exam). The exam consisted of medical questions like "what prescription drugs do you take? do you have a history of heart problems?" etc. It was basic questions, nothing out of the ordinary. The only strange question was "have you ever tried to kill yourself?". I was a bit surprised by this one, but I guess they're looking to weed out people with serious mental/emotional health issues. They also took my blood pressure and checked out my ears, throat, and did a quick breast exam. It was straight-forward and simple. The staff were all courteous and friendly.

The majority of the time spent in the clinic is waiting. Since there are three parts to the exam, you end up waiting to complete each one. I can't stress the importance of getting there early enough. I was one of the first people to arrive and was out by 9 a.m.... but there were a LOT of people in the waiting room when I left, so I can only imagine how long it took all of them to complete the three parts of the visit.

Other tips: the closest Tim Hortons is on Front Street, just west of Jarvis. There is also a McDonald's on Front and Jarvis, but I'm not sure when it opens.

Good restaurants in the area for breakfast after your appointment: Petit Dejeuner, moderately priced, delicious brunch food (King, just East of Jarvis), Patrician Grill, basic greasy-spoon (King and Sherbourne), St. Lawrence Market vendors are also great (Peameal bacon sandwiches, especially) and it's right by the office.

Closest hotel: Holiday Inn Express on King Street (it's also quite affordable)

Good luck with your medical, fellow VJers!!

Edited April 12, 2010 by Golden_State

[OBX 51]

Great review! Especially the food tips.

[Kimbear 53]

Glad you had an easy medical Golden!

[ladygothic 0]

Hi everyone,

I just returned from my medical at Dr. Seiden and Associates in Toronto. Here are some notes about my experience.

Arrived at 6:50. The doors open at 6:30 so there were a few people waiting in the waiting room. I believe I was the 4th person to get there. The BEST thing you can do regarding the medical is get there early. Ideally, at least 15 minutes before the clinic opens (between 6:30 and 6:45 would be good). When I sat down in the waiting room at 7, there were four people. Ten minutes later, it was full. You'll save yourself lots of time by getting there early.

The receptionist takes your appointment letter from Montreal (or packet 3 letter) and you wait in the waiting room. Then, you see an administrator who takes your photos, money, immunization records, and photo ID. I did the X Ray first, followed by the exam, and then the blood work. The total time spent with the various medical staff was about 20 minutes (5 for the X Ray, 2 for the blood, and about 10-15 for the exam). The exam consisted of medical questions like "what prescription drugs do you take? do you have a history of heart problems?" etc. It was basic questions, nothing out of the ordinary. The only strange question was "have you ever tried to kill yourself?". I was a bit surprised by this one, but I guess they're looking to weed out people with serious mental/emotional health issues. They also took my blood pressure and checked out my ears, throat, and did a quick breast exam. It was straight-forward and simple. The staff were all courteous and friendly.

The majority of the time spent in the clinic is waiting. Since there are three parts to the exam, you end up waiting to complete each one. I can't stress the importance of getting there early enough. I was one of the first people to arrive and was out by 9 a.m.... but there were a LOT of people in the waiting room when I left, so I can only imagine how long it took all of them to complete the three parts of the visit.

Other tips: the closest Tim Hortons is on Front Street, just west of Jarvis. There is also a McDonald's on Front and Jarvis, but I'm not sure when it opens.

Good restaurants in the area for breakfast after your appointment: Petit Dejeuner, moderately priced, delicious brunch food (King, just East of Jarvis), Patrician Grill, basic greasy-spoon (King and Sherbourne), St. Lawrence Market vendors are also great (Peameal bacon sandwiches, especially) and it's right by the office.

Closest hotel: Holiday Inn Express on King Street (it's also quite affordable)

Good luck with your medical, fellow VJers!!

Thanks for the info, now I'm not so nervous about my appointment tomorrow

[Kevbev09 1]

I had my medical there the day after you.. I got there a few minutes after 7 so yeah the waiting room was pretty full but I was done at 10. I also had a weird random question from Dr Malcolm "have you ever gotten a DUI?" and I said "er no, I don't even have a license.." then he kind of joked around saying "I hope that's not why you lost it!" lol, he was pretty nice though.

That girl who does the bloodwork though, didn't seem very good at it, I still have a bruise and the guy who went in after me said she "poked" both his arms.. I'm confused about that one since she does nothing else all day seemingly.

[Kimbear 53]

I had my medical there the day after you.. I got there a few minutes after 7 so yeah the waiting room was pretty full but I was done at 10. I also had a weird random question from Dr Malcolm "have you ever gotten a DUI?" and I said "er no, I don't even have a license.." then he kind of joked around saying "I hope that's not why you lost it!" lol, he was pretty nice though.

That girl who does the bloodwork though, didn't seem very good at it, I still have a bruise and the guy who went in after me said she "poked" both his arms.. I'm confused about that one since she does nothing else all day seemingly.

dont get me started on teh blood chick..lol

[slider100 8]

Good luck for your interview!

[ladygothic 0]

6:02 Woke up in a panic and had the world's fastest shower, grabbed coffee to go, my prepacked bag of info and my purse

6:32 Ran out the door to waiting Taxi (so fast there was no time for a sleepy cat to bite my leg)

6:45 Rude cabbie feared I'd stiff him fare when arrived in Toronto and made me pay up front, thus he got no tip! and then he took a pee break sheesh!

6:50 Taxi finally hit the highway

7:30 Arrived at medical office, registered w/ front desk, then with administration giving all my info, passport, passport photos, fees. Only 5 people in waiting room.

7:43 Went for a smoke and eyed Starbucks directly across the street, longing for another coffee but decided not to push my luck on the waiting room time.

8:00 Chest x-ray super short and sweet. Came back to 20 people now in the waiting room

8:30 called for blood work and sent back to waiting room but before i could take a seat I was called in Dr room

height, weight, blood pressure checked (very high)...put on gown and was glad I brought bottled water cos it was hot in there while I waited for the Dr.

9:00 Dr came in checked my medical records, RA swelling noted on both hands noted and blood pressure redone, it dropped but was still high.

Dr left room while female assistant did slight body check. I'm to follow up with my family Dr about the blood pressure and have the late titre test results faxed before my medical is complete.

9:30 front desk receptionist walked me onto the street giving great directions to the intercity transit terminal

9:40 found terminal but got a bit lost in it, had to ask another lady for directions

10:30 got on the bus in Toronto

11:25 got off bus in Brampton

11:25 got on local bus

11:50 arrived home and put on my jammies

12:00 made appointment with family dr, gave the cat a tummy rub and came online

12:30 went to bed

The staff were friendly efficient, and the receptionist was wonderful from the moment I walked in the door.

[ladygothic 0]

6:02 Woke up in a panic and had the world's fastest shower, grabbed coffee to go, my prepacked bag of info and my purse

6:32 Ran out the door to waiting Taxi (so fast there was no time for a sleepy cat to bite my leg)

6:45 Rude cabbie feared I'd stiff him fare when arrived in Toronto and made me pay up front, thus he got no tip! and then he took a pee break sheesh!

6:50 Taxi finally hit the highway

7:30 Arrived at medical office, registered w/ front desk, then with administration giving all my info, passport, passport photos, fees. Only 5 people in waiting room.

7:43 Went for a smoke and eyed Starbucks directly across the street, longing for another coffee but decided not to push my luck on the waiting room time.

8:00 Chest x-ray super short and sweet. Came back to 20 people now in the waiting room

8:30 called for blood work and sent back to waiting room but before i could take a seat I was called in Dr room

height, weight, blood pressure checked (very high)...put on gown and was glad I brought bottled water cos it was hot in there while I waited for the Dr.

9:00 Dr came in checked my medical records, RA swelling noted on both hands noted and blood pressure redone, it dropped but was still high.

Dr left room while female assistant did slight body check. I'm to follow up with my family Dr about the blood pressure and have the late titre test results faxed before my medical is complete.

9:30 front desk receptionist walked me onto the street giving great directions to the intercity transit terminal

9:40 found terminal but got a bit lost in it, had to ask another lady for directions

10:30 got on the bus in Toronto

11:25 got off bus in Brampton

11:25 got on local bus

11:50 arrived home and put on my jammies

12:00 made appointment with family dr, gave the cat a tummy rub and came online

12:30 went to bed

The staff were friendly efficient, and the receptionist was wonderful from the moment I walked in the door. though the blood nurse was rather cold, abrubt and didn't seem to know what she was doing and I did get a rather large bruise from her, that inconvenience did't spoil my over all experience.

Edited April 21, 2010 by ladygothic

[mandaNchris 3]

Thanx for the review and tips!!! Good to hear you all had good experiences. wow am I ever nervous about that blood test now tho! lol. I have a huge fear of blood tests. I'll probably end up passing out on that woman if I get her.