My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Sheri Matteo, CNM
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Welcome to My Doctor Online! I value my relationship with you and know that maintaining a good relationship means being able to communicate with each other. At My Doctor Online, you can email me, check lab results, make an appointment, access our many online programs or get information about a particular health topic - all in one place, whenever it is convenient for you. The better connected we are, the healthier you are.
Quick Links
- Early Start Program
- Healthy Beginnings Prenancy Online Newsletter
- Virtual Labor and Delivery Tour
- Prepare for Your Procedure - Emmi
- The Midwife Birth Experience
- Healthy Homes, Safe Relationships
- American Social Health Association STD Information
- Kaiser Permanente Center For Reproductive Health
- Low back pain: Exercises to reduce pain
- Bladder Control for Women
- Cervical Cancer Screening Saves Lives
- Cold, Flu and Cough
- Mammograms Save Lives
- Health Guidelines for Adults
- Understanding Infertility
General References
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Getting Here
- My office address, maps, and transportation instructions are included in “Offices and Directions”.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for parking and check-in.
- Please bring your Kaiser Permanente medical card and a photo ID, like your driver’s license, with you.
Before Your Visit
Please bring your medications with you.
- It is important for us to know which medicines, and how much of each, you are taking because it influences recommendations for tests or other medicines you might need.
- Our electronic medical record tells us what has been prescribed, but only you can confirm what you take every day. This includes prescription medications as well as over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin, vitamins, herbs or supplements.
- We can talk about renewing your prescriptions during the visit, or if you already have a prescription, you can pick up a refill at the pharmacy while you are here.
Think about the questions and issues you would like to discuss.
- It is a good idea to write them down and bring them to our visit.
Remember to bring your forms.
- If we sent you a form or questionnaire, please complete as much as you can and bring it with you to our visit.
- If you have a form you need us to complete, please bring it with you. Remember to tell us when you need it completed and returned. The Medical Secretaries Department will help facilitate completion of most types of forms.
During Your Visit
Before you see me, you will meet with my medical assistant (MA).
- My MA will call you in from the waiting room, will take your vital signs, record your weight, and bring you to the exam room.
- You will be asked whether you smoke and if you exercise. If you do smoke and are ready to try to quit, we will give you information about the many services we provide to help you quit. We will also give you information about exercise options. We believe that exercise is good medicine.
You will receive a Preventive Health Prompt.
- Your Preventive Health Prompt lists all of the preventive tests, screenings, and immunizations you have had in the past as well as when you will be due for your next test or screening. We can discuss and schedule any preventive tests that you need.
- If you are due for a Pap test, we can do one during your visit. If you are due for a mammogram, colorectal cancer screening, or a bone mineral density (BMD) test, we can order those tests for you.
We will review your medical information, which is readily available through computers in our exam rooms.
- We can review your lab results and x-rays during your visit. While we are together, I can order any tests, x-rays, or medicines that you will need. You will not need a paper prescription or lab order form. After I submit the order, you just go to the laboratory, pharmacy or radiology department and present your card.
- If additional specialty advice is needed while you are in the exam room, I can often call a colleague and get specialty advice immediately.
You will have a physical examination.
- We will discuss your medical history and any current symptoms you are having.
- You will have a routine breast exam to screen for breast cancer. This is a routine part of the exam, but does not take the place of a mammogram.
- We may also perform a pelvic exam. Most pelvic exams take about five minutes and are not painful. This test allows me to examine your external and internal female organs. It will include an examination of the vaginal canal and cervix by using an instrument called a speculum. We might also check the size and shape of your uterus and ovaries.
Please ask questions.
- It is always good to ask questions and voice any concerns you may have about instructions, medical tests, medications, or treatments. If you don't understand my answers, please ask for more information.
My MA will give you a copy of your After Visit Summary.
- This summary includes my name and the date and time of our visit, your vital signs, my test orders and your medications or immunizations. It usually includes the instructions I’ve given you during our visit and any follow-up information.
- You can refer back to your After Visit Summary if you forget what we discussed, or if you just want to recheck your vital signs and weight. You can also view your After Visit Summary online.
After Your Visit
Specialist referral.
- If we talked to a specialist by phone during your visit, we will decide if you should follow up with the specialist or with me for additional issues or questions.
- If I referred you to a specialist and scheduled your appointment, you will receive an appointment reminder in the mail.
- If we did not book the specialty appointment during your visit, you will be contacted by the specialty department to arrange an appointment.
Test results.
- If you had lab work or other tests done, I’ll contact you with your results by letter, email or phone.
- You may view your results online. Since the results are often available online before I contact you, my comments and recommendations usually follow separately.
Follow-up questions/activities.
- You can contact me by secure email for non-urgent questions. It’s direct communication with me and I am usually able to respond to questions in 24-48 hours.
- You can call my office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Advice nurses are available to give advice, send me a message or book an appointment.
- From my home page, you can also refill your prescriptions, book future appointments, view your test results and review information about past visits.
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