We want to answer as many questions as possible at your visit, please prepare for this by bringing the following information. Please contact us directly at (408) 778-2663 with any questions.
Things You Should Bring to Your First Visit:
- Health Insurance Card/Information
- Photo ID
- A friend or family member to take notes/help with questions
- A list of all medications you are taking
- A list of your questions /concerns
- A copy of your XRAYS / CT scans (not the reports - get the actual films or a CD)
- Copy of records from doctors related to your visit with us
- Completed NEW PATIENT FORMS
Patient Office Forms
Please download, print, and complete office forms prior to your visit.
New Patient Pack Includes:
- Patient Registration
- Medical History
- Notice of Privacy Practices
- Privacy Practices Acknowledgment
Understanding Physician Assistants
Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They should not be confused with medical assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the health care team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x rays, and make diagnoses. They also treat minor injuries, by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy.
In 48 States and the District of Columbia, physician assistants may prescribe medications. Physician assistants work under the supervision of a physician. However, PAs may be the principal care providers in rural or inner city clinics, where a physician is present for only 1 or 2 days each week. In such cases, the PA confers with the supervising physician and other medical professionals as needed and as required by law. PAs also may make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing care facilities to check on patients, after which they report back to the physician.
Physician assistants specific duties are determined by the supervising physician and by State law. Many PAs work in primary care specialties, such as general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine. Other specialty areas include general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and geriatrics. PAs specializing in surgery provide preoperative and postoperative care and may work as first or second assistants during major surgery.
All States require that PAs complete an accredited, formal education program and pass a National exam to obtain a license. Most applicants to PA educational programs already have a bachelor’s degree. Many PAs have prior experience as registered nurses, while others come from varied backgrounds, including military corpsman/medics and allied health occupations such as respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and emergency medical technicians and paramedics. PA programs usually last at least 2 years and are full time. Most programs are in schools of allied health, academic health centers, medical schools, or 4-year colleges; a few are in community colleges, the military, or hospitals.
Many accredited PA programs have clinical teaching affiliations with medical schools.
Requesting Medications
Dr. Harwood typically only prescribes narcotic pain medication during the six to eight weeks after surgery. Pain medications is refilled during normal business hours, and is not refilled over the weekend. Please call the office and leave a message on extension #5, or have the pharmacy fax a refill authorization to the office. Allow one to two business days for medication to be refilled. Thank you.
