Why ESP Clinics?
The Extended Scope Practitioner (ESP) Clinic is a new model of care built to meet the needs of those with joint and spine pain by improving access to specialist care and providing individualized management. The ESP has advanced training in arthritis and musculoskeletal care through the Advanced Clinician Practitioner in Arthritis Care (ACPAC) Program (http://www.acpacprogram.ca/) in addition to training directly with the specialist orthopaedic surgeon.
The ESP will complete a thorough history and physical examination to provide you with a diagnosis and management plan. Should you require a surgical consultation, the ESP Clinic provides assessment by the specialist orthopaedic surgeon.
If further tests or imaging are necessary, these will be reviewed with you in a follow-up appointment. It is often not necessary to have an MRI or other imaging prior to referral to the ESP Clinic, as most conditions can be diagnosed and treated without the use of imaging.
ESP Clinic provides patients with a thorough assessment with the goal of empowering patients to take control of their conditions.
What Happens Next?
Once the ESP Clinic receives a referral from your primary care provider you will be contacted by the ESP Clinic team to schedule your appointment. You can expect an appointment date within four weeks.
Your thorough assessment with be scheduled with the nearest available ESP clinician and will be approximately 30 minutes long.
Preparing for Your Appointment?
IMPORTANT. Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your appointment in order to complete the detailed intake form. Alternatively the intake form can be completed online using DADOS Connect. A personalized email will be sent to you when your appointment is confirmed.
If you have already had imaging such as an X-ray, MRI or Ultrasound, please bring the CD/DVD disc and written report to your appointment with the ESP clinician.
For appointment cancellations or changes, please contact the ESP Clinic at 416-603-5929.
