What to expect at Specialist Sports Medicine
A clear walkthrough of your first appointment at Specialist Sports Medicine, on the Sunshine Coast (Noosa & Maroochydore).
A new patient appointment at Specialist Sports Medicine allows enough time to take a careful history, examine you, review any prior imaging, and build a plan you can follow. You leave with a clear written summary.
Your appointment at a glance
- At booking: the clinic sends your intake forms electronically to complete online before your appointment, for a smoother visit on the day.
- Before: ensure you have provided your GP referral and Medicare card, and notify the clinic of the specific radiology company and types of imaging performed.
- Arrive: reception at Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group checks you in. Free on-site parking.
- Consultation: a careful history, examination, and review of your imaging.
- Imaging: arranged on the spot if it is needed, including bulk-billed MRI where eligible.
- Your plan: a clear diagnosis and a written plan you can follow and share with your team.
- Follow-up: review and track progress, and adjust the plan.
Before your appointment
A small amount of preparation makes a real difference to what you can get done in the consultation. We will ask careful questions and would rather you arrive ready than spend the appointment hunting through a phone for old reports.
How to book
Phone bookings only at this stage. Call (07) 5415 0428. Bookings are handled by Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group reception. Mention if you are claiming through WorkCover or insurance so reception can prepare the file.
Intake forms before your visit
Around the time of booking, the clinic sends your intake forms electronically (via Consentic) for you to complete online before your appointment. Completing them ahead of time keeps more of the consultation focused on your problem and your plan, for a smoother visit on the day.
What to bring
- Loose, comfortable clothing for examination, such as shorts and a singlet
- Details of any imaging you have already had, and where it was done. You do not need to bring the scans, discs, or reports: just let the clinic know ahead of time what has been done and where, and we will access the images directly through the radiology provider.
- A GP referral, so you can claim the Medicare specialist rebate, along with your Medicare card
- Your WorkCover claim number, if applicable
- A list of your current medications and allergies, and the names of your other treating practitioners, for example your GP and any allied health such as physiotherapy
A quick note on referrals
A GP referral is not required to book, but it is strongly recommended. With a valid referral, you access the Medicare specialist rebate (MBS A4). See the FAQ for a longer answer on referrals.
Things worth thinking about beforehand
- When did the problem start, and what were you doing?
- What makes it better, and what makes it worse?
- What activities are affected (work, sport, sleep, daily life)?
- What have you already tried (rest, ice, physiotherapy, medication)?
- What is your goal? Returning to a sport, getting through the work day, walking the dog without pain. The clearer the goal, the clearer the plan.
Arriving at the clinic
Specialist Sports Medicine has two Sunshine Coast locations: Noosa Civic MediHub, 26 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville, and Maroochy Private Hospital, Level 9, 12 Future Way, Maroochydore.
Parking and access
Free, on-site parking undercover and outside. Lift and stairs to the clinic rooms. Step-free access throughout.
Check-in
On arrival, check in at Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group reception, which manages bookings for Specialist Sports Medicine. Aim to arrive five to ten minutes early so reception can confirm your details and process the Medicare or insurer paperwork.
If you are running late or need to cancel
Call (07) 5415 0428 as soon as you know. Cancellation fees may apply for late cancellations and missed appointments. See the cancellation policy for full details.
During the consultation
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The story
We start with how the problem began, what makes it better or worse, what you have already tried, and how it affects your work, sleep, sport, and daily life. A careful history alone often points strongly to the diagnosis.
You will also be asked about your wider health, medications, prior injuries, and surgical history. Medical conditions you might think are unrelated, such as thyroid problems, diabetes, or osteoporosis, can be highly relevant in musculoskeletal medicine.
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The examination
A targeted musculoskeletal and movement examination of the affected region and related areas. Expect to walk, squat, hop, or perform sport-specific movements where appropriate. The examination is hands-on, and we explain what is being tested as it happens.
Examinations are conducted with respect and privacy. A chaperone can be requested at any time.
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Imaging and investigations review
Existing imaging is reviewed on the screen with you. We talk through the actual images, not just the report. If further imaging or pathology is needed, this is requested under specialist Medicare rebates where eligible (see below).
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The diagnosis and the plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis (or a working diagnosis with next steps), an explanation in plain language, and a written care plan covering what to do, what to avoid, what to expect, and when to come back.
A note on AI
Heidi Health, an AI medical scribe, may be used during the consultation to support accurate clinical notes and free us to focus on you rather than typing. You can decline its use at any time. See how we use AI for more detail.
Imaging and investigations
Specialist sport and exercise medicine uses accurate imaging when it is needed. As a specialist service, we can refer for investigations that GPs are not always able to access under Medicare.
Bulk-billed MRI
As a specialist sport and exercise medicine service, we can refer for an MRI under a Medicare item number that is bulk-billed at some participating radiology providers, which usually means no out-of-pocket cost for the scan (bulk-billing is at the radiology provider's discretion). A GP usually cannot refer for a Medicare-rebateable MRI for most musculoskeletal conditions.
Other imaging
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- CT
- MRI
- Bone scan or SPECT-CT
Pathology and other tests
Blood tests, joint fluid analysis, nerve conduction studies, and other investigations may be requested where clinically indicated. Imaging requests follow current evidence-based guidelines.
Diagnosis and care plan
You will leave with a clear written care plan. The plan is matched to your diagnosis, your goals, and what you can realistically commit to.
What the plan typically includes
- The diagnosis (or a working diagnosis if results are pending)
- What to expect over coming weeks and months
- Activity guidance: what to keep doing, what to modify, what to avoid for now
- Rehabilitation and exercise prescription
- Medications, where indicated
- Injection therapies, if appropriate, with full discussion of risks and benefits
- Imaging or pathology requests
- Referrals to physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics, or surgery where indicated
- The plan for follow-up
Where outcomes can be predicted, the plan sets them out with realistic timeframes. Some conditions improve quickly with a simple intervention. Others need months of consistent rehabilitation.
After your appointment
Letter to your referring GP
Where there is a valid referral and your consent, a specialist letter is sent to your referring GP, and to other treating practitioners you nominate, summarising the assessment, diagnosis, and care plan. This is usually sent within one to two business days.
Coordination with your team
We work closely with physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, dietitians, podiatrists, orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and other practitioners across the Sunshine Coast. If your plan involves another practitioner, the relevant correspondence is sent to them so everyone is on the same page.
Imaging and results
If imaging or pathology was ordered, results are reviewed at your next appointment unless something urgent emerges, in which case the clinic will contact you directly.
Follow-up appointments
Follow-up appointments are typically 20 minutes. The frequency depends on your condition and is agreed with you as part of your care plan.
Bring an updated GP referral once a year if you would like to continue accessing the Medicare specialist rebate. Standard GP referrals are valid for 12 months.
