1. What happens if I have an emergency at home?
2. What happens if I have an accident on Campus or in a class room?
3. I think I have an ear pain and I would like to see an ENT doctor, Can I do that?
4. I am used to going to doctor X for my GYN exam why can not I have access to that doctor and have to go to UHS doctor?
5. I have been calling many time but I cannot get an appointment.
6. I have a prescription, I need to renew how am I go about it?
7. I have a chronic problem with seizure disorder that requires special medication and a special follow up, do I have to come to every time to Infirmary to get a referral to see my doctor at 3 month interval visits?
8. What do I do if after seeing a UHS doctor I am not convinced of his treatment., and would like to have a second opinion?
9. What do I do if I think the doctor did not perform the needed investigation on an interview such as not doing a physical examination , prescribing medication without physical examination?
10. I want to do some Lab. tests and check my Cholesterol for example can I go ahead and do that as I want?
11. Does the Infirmary cover health check ups for prevention?
12. How do I get my sick leave authorized by UHS doctor ?
13. I have been assigned a family physician, what if the doctor is not available ?

What happens if I have an emergency at home?
In cases of an emergency at home call the university operator and ask who is the UHS doctor on call and ask to have him/her paged. The doctor will call you back and instruct you about further care . Back to top

What happens if I have an accident on Campus or in a class room?
In cases of emergency: 

• if the patient is able to move, s/he is advised to go to the AUH emergency room    directly.
• if the patient is unable to move, s/he needs  to call ext. 7777. The Nurse at the AUH emergency room will receive the information, review it with the UHS Resident on call at ER, and arrange for an ambulance as needed. Back to top

I think I have an ear pain and I would like to see an ENT doctor, Can I do that? 
According to HIP regulations the Specialist doctor will not be reimbursed for any visit you may make on your own without a referral. If you have an ear pain or any kind of pain or problem, you should contact UHS and ask to see a Family doctor whom you trust and feel comfortable discussing your problems with. This doctor will examine you and will decide whether your problem needs any other medical opinion or can be handled by him/her at UHS. Should you decide to refer yourself on your own to another doctor, you will have to pay the fees incurred by that referral, as clearly stipulated by HIP regulation book. Back to top

I am used to going to doctor X for my GYN exam. Can I go to the specialist directly without seeing  the  UHS doctor first ?
The HIP plan restricts access to specialists that are not on contract with the University . This restriction is channelled through UHS. Like any Insurance Plan it has certain advantages and disadvantages. Limitation of direct access to any doctor of one's own choice is one of the restrictions of the HIP. You can always go to any doctor of your choice but would have to pay the incurred fees. In return, the HIP ensures that the UHS doctors can provide the services that are needed. HIP will reimburse only for those cases where the UHS doctors are not able to provide service. The decision on whether these doctors can or can not provide a service is left to those doctors and their supervisors. So in case of a Gynecological problem, if the UHS doctor decides that it is not in his/her expertise he/she will refer you as needed. Back to top

I have been calling many times but I cannot get an appointment .
Great efforts have been made to accommodate patients for appointments. The number of doctors available at UHS has doubled since 1994. We strongly recommend that people make appointments 3-4 days in advance to guarantee a slot. We still see more than 50% of our patients every day without appointments and until we have an adequate number of doctors this problem may continue. Our head nurse also screens visitors to see if they need immediate care or can wait for a later appointment. Back to top

I have a prescription  to renew; how do I do  it?
Repeat NSSF prescriptions are automatically generated once a month. Dates of renewal  are posted at UHS. Please visit us in person and discuss this with the nurse in charge. These prescriptions are reviewed periodically by our doctors we will need to see you  and check  your medications periodically . If a doctor modifies your chronic medications, please bring a copy of the new prescription to update your file. Back to top

I have a chronic problem with seizure disorder that requires special medication and frequent follow ups .Can I get referrals for 3 monthly visits without seeing the UHS doctor?
No you don't; provided you have made arrangements with your family doctor at UHS to have your name listed on the automatic quarterly referrals to the specific doctors mentioned. This means that your case is to be reviewed by your family doctor and the UHS administration and then your name would be listed with the Triage nurse and you would be able to obtain the necessary referral by calling either the triage nurse, usually in the afternoon, or your own family doctor. If you also make an effort to call 4 or 5 days in advance this will make your papers ready on time when needed. Back to top

What do I do if after seeing a UHS doctor  I am not convinced of his/ her treatment., and would like to have a second opinion?
The first step  is to be open and tell the doctor that you do not understand or agree with his treatment & management and that you would like to have a second opinion. From here on it will depend on the kind of relationship you have with the UHS doctor. She may agree to go ahead and give you the chance to have a second opinion outside UHS or may ask you to see another doctor at UHS to have a second opinion . In the rare occasion where you disagree with the opinion of two UHS doctors you may ask the Director to address your case. Back to top

What do I do if I think the doctor did not perform the needed investigation at an interview, such as not doing a physical examination or prescribing a medication without physical examination?
In such situation you should report the doctor and the date, the event happened; in writing to the Director so that disciplinary action can be taken if warranted. Back to top

I want to do some Lab. tests and check my Cholesterol. Can I go ahead and do as I want ?
According to HIP, only Lab. tests that are requested by physicians will be covered. Other Lab tests will be charged to the patients . In such a case, requesting Lab cholesterol on your own would not be reimbursed. You will have to see a doctor who would order this Lab. test as indicated by medical recommendations not because of your interest or need to know or curiosity . Medical indications for lab tests are standardized and are listed and all our doctors are trained at executing them . This information is also posted on bulletin boards throughout the Infirmary . Back to top

Does the Infirmary cover health check ups for prevention?
Your doctor should provide you with an annual check up as needed based on the recommendation for health promotion and disease prevention. Let's hope in the future that Infirmary doctor will call you to come and receive such check up including all the necessary laboratory test. Back to top

How do I get my sick leave authorized by UHS doctor ?
Sick leaves usually have to be signed by  yours supervisor and referred to UHS doctor for medical evaluation of medical necessity. This is usually done without seeing the patient. The outside doctor's report is critically reviewed; however, if the UHS doctor reviewing the sick leave thinks that there should be further evaluation it is referred to one or two other doctors and the patient may be interviewed and the doctor originating sick leave may be contacted . Students are not given sick leaves or excuses for missing class or examinations. Back to top
I have been assigned a family physician, what can I doif the doctor is not available?
Your family doctor will be able to respond better to your needs and the need of your family, but in case you need to see a doctor urgently and your family doctor is not available at UHS, you may see any other doctor available at the time needed. Back to top