What to Expect

Your Exam

Your Medical Care

During your first visit to Mayo, your examination and treatment will be supervised by a staff physician, who will coordinate your care.

Your local physician may have referred you to a particular Mayo doctor. If not, the clinic will select a physician who will be responsible for your initial examination, diagnosis and treatment at Mayo. This coordinating physician also may decide which laboratory tests and consultations with other doctors may be needed. Your local physician will be updated after your visit, if you wish.

Teamwork at Mayo

If your Mayo physician decides that you should see specialty physicians in other areas of the clinic, those examinations will be scheduled for you. Depending upon your health problems, you may see one physician or several. This team approach to medicine helps Mayo physicians reach accurate diagnoses and allows for second opinions and subspecialty consultations at a single location.

Sometimes you will be examined by specialists other than your coordinating physician at Mayo. Or your doctor may consult with other specialists behind the scenes. In either case, you will receive care based on Mayo's team approach to medicine.

Your Physical Examination

You will meet your Mayo physician in an examination room. He or she will talk with you about your medical history and do a thorough physical examination. We encourage you to bring a list of questions you may want to discuss with your physician.

While taking a relative or friend with you to the doctor can ease anxieties, meeting alone with your physician for at least part of your initial visit will help develop an effective doctor-patient relationship. Consider having someone accompany you only when you are receiving test results or follow-up instructions.

Mayo People Who Assist Your Physician

The Mayo team also includes those who may directly assist your doctor with your care. They may include:

• Allied health technicians
• Audiologists
• Dietitians
• Nurse anesthetists
• Nurses
• Pharmacists
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Physician assistants

These individuals have special training and skills that allow them to perform specific roles on the patient-care team.