Our goal is to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.

In order to do that, we'd like to make your visit run more smoothly. Following below are some simple things you can do to make your visit run as efficiently as possible.

Do you need a referral to be seen by a podiatrist?

No, it is not necessary to have a referral from your family physician.

Still, most of our patients are seen by referral from a family physician, and we usually wish to work with your family physician or any specialists also involved with your medical care.

When you make your appointment.....

At the time you book your appointment, tell us what condition you're coming in to have us treat, so we know how to book you. Some problems require we put you in certain rooms, book for certain lengths of time, or have certain special equipment available.

Letting us know your problem ahead of time allows us to plan your visit more efficiently.

What should I bring with me for my first visit?

1. Your Medical Services Plan (MSP) Care Card. A portion of your visit may be insured by MSP.
2. If you're insured by a third party like Workman's Compensation (WCB), the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Indian Affairs, or some other agency, bring in any appropriate insurance/status cards, identity numbers, forms, as well as the 3rd party's address, phone number, and contact name.
3. A list of all medications you take.
4. A list of any allergies to medication you may have.
5. Reviewing what has been previously done makes good sense to avoid unnecessary duplication, providing savings of time and money. So if your referring physician has given you a letter for Dr. Schumacher to read, bring them with you at the time of your examination. Copies of medical records are usually not required, but sometimes a previous operative note is helpful to explain details of what has been done in the past.
6. If possible, hand carry to our office any X-rays, CT, MRI, EMG's, blood work results, or anything else that will aid us in helping you in your first visit.  Please note that hospitals, radiographic or blood work clinics, or other doctor's offices cannot be relied upon to send us your materials on your behalf. But if you bring these materials, they will certainly arrive with you. Dr. Schumacher prefers to review these materials with you in your presence.
7. If the patient is under age, a parent or guardian able to make health decisions should be present at the time of examination.
8. Bring a translator, if needed.  There are times when someone has to explain a symptom or a treatment. Someone you trust, who knows how you feel and can explain your needs and thoughts is the best person to accompany you if there may be a language difficulty. Dr. Schumacher speaks English fluently and reasonable Spanish.  He cannot do justice to your problem in any other language.
9. Whenever possible, please leave other children with a relative or friend. We do not have facilities to care for families or young children. Young ones tire out quickly and may not allow us to concentrate on your problem. They may not be overly comfortable in an examining room or just visiting the doctor.
10. Leave cell phones and pagers at home.
11. If you wear a brace, orthosis, or other supportive device, please bring it with you on your visit to show Dr. Schumacher. It may also be a good idea to bring the shoes you typically wear.
12. If you have native status, please let us know on your first visit, and bring your Native Affairs information--your status card, your band number, band address and phone number, and your worker's name.
13. If you have status with the Ministry of Social Services (MSSH), please let us know ahead of time.
14. If this is a Workmen's Compensation (WCB), ICBC or DVA claim, let us know ahead of time, and bring the following with you:
a) Date and history of your injury
b) Your employer's name, address, phone and fax numbers.
c) Your WCB, ICBC, or DVA claim numbers.
What should I wear?

Wear something loose and comfortable.  For any examination of a biomechanical problem (abnormalities in how you walk), shorts are helpful.

Things to Avoid:

Avoid wearing pants that are tight around the ankle.

Avoid wearing pantyhose and long socks, as they're a bother to get off and on.

Avoid long underwear, as it, too, makes examination more difficult.

Avoid using any cream on your feet for a couple days before the examination.

When should I arrive?

New patients have some paperwork to fill out before their visit, and we may have to process insurance paperwork, so try to arrive 10-15 minutes before your visit.

How is the parking?

Parking is not usually a problem at our offices. Still, try to arrive early enough where you can still be on time if you have to wait for a parking spot or if you have to park a little ways from the building.

How long will I have to wait?

Dr. Schumacher doesn't like to be kept waiting unnecessarily in a doctor's office any more than you do. So we pride ourselves being on time.

While unexpected emergencies can, from time to time, take up more time than we expect, we believe an office that regularly runs behind schedule is not organized or managed correctly. We are usually on time, and are rarely more than than ten minutes late.

If you value being seen when you're actually scheduled for an appointment, please help us stay on schedule by arriving for your visit on time.

How long will the visit take?

While some problems are quicker than others, allow a minimum of 30 minutes for an initial visit, but it may take longer, depending upon your problem.

Subsequent Visits are usually quicker. Allow extra time if there is consideration of surgery, work issues or lots of test results. Scheduling tests or procedures takes more time than you think.

Visits after a surgery are usually very straight forward, requiring only supervision of rehabilitation and return to work.

How many visits will my problem require?

It varies based on your problem and your response to treatment. Only rarely will one visit completely solve a problem. More often than not at the first visit a problem is identified, evaluated and tests are ordered. During subsequent visits, we will discuss the test results and actions needed to cure the problem.

Why does Dr. Schumacher want to know my past medical history?

Dr. Schumacher wants to know your past medical history because it may be a contributing factor of your presenting problem. This information is also vital to the selection of treatment options that both you and Dr. Schumacher choose. In order for Dr. Schumacher to better understand and properly treat your problem, a complete medication list with dosage as well as direction is needed to prevent a possibly harmful drug interaction.

Why does Dr. Schumacher need to see both feet at the initial exam?

When a new patient comes into our office, both feet are usually examined for comparative analysis. It is mandatory for Diabetics to have both feet inspected due to systemic manifestations caused by their disease. Comparison of both feet also helps indicate the amount of redness or swelling the symptomatic foot is experiencing.

If you are considering surgery.......

We may ask your family doctor if you are in good enough health for surgery.

You may need some blood tests.

You may need crutches or therapy instructions.

You will need to ask about your medications.

You will need to be driven home and accompanied by someone.

If you need a refill on a prescription.....

You or your pharmacist may call to renew a prescription when needed.

In order for us to do this, please include the patient's full name, the exact name of the drug you wish refilled, as well as the name and phone number for the pharmacy.

The request will be reviewed by the doctor and may be changed to fit a new situation. It is our policy not to write long-term medications, which are best monitored by your family physician.  Narcotics and controlled substance, too, should be ordered and monitored by your family physician.

Regarding Insurance and Disability Forms, Medical-Legal letters and reports......

We will fill out insurance, disability and other forms when needed. We ask that you fill out your part completely and provide the correct address and dates. We will do our part. In most cases, there will be a charge for this service or for copies of records.