Particularly for more complex conditions, the information and the choices offered can be very confusing or even overwhelming. If you find yourself in this situation, irrespective of the source of the advice (GP/Specialist or otherwise), please feel free to book an appointment for assistance to help in your decision making. A second medical opinion can be offered for most conditions, including:
- Heart disease
- Blood pressure and diseases of the circulation
- Cancer
- Infertility and other Gynaecological conditions
- Any long standing, ‘chronic’, serious or life threatening condition
- Any condition requiring surgery including plastic surgery
- Naturopathic, herbal, mind-body and other natural treatments (via an evidence based approach)
My approach here is to evaluate your current situation based on what you can tell me, on what additional information you bring to the consultation (e.g. test results and information from other doctors) and on my examination findings. After considering all of these, I will usually be able to give an opinion, based on my existing knowledge and the information from clinical databases that I have ready access to. If appropriate, I will formulate a plan on where to seek additional information and advice. This might involve doing further online searches of medical databases and of the so-called ‘grey literature’. You may be referred to Specialist practitioners for a second opinion.
I have near 30 years of experience as a doctor and post-graduate training in both Integrative Medicine (i.e in complementary and alternative therapies) and in Evidence Based medicine. I am therefore qualified to discuss the safety and efficacy both conventional and alternative therapies.
Cardiac Nurse
My wife Monica is a Registered Nurse, Division 1, who works as the Cardiomyopathy/Heart Failure Nurse-Coordinator at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Cardiomyopathy is a cardiac condition. Monica was awarded Victorian Clinical Nurse of the year by the State Health Minister, Daniel Andrews, in 2008. Her expertise is available for patients at the practice, eg in Cardiovascular Risk assessment and management.