Calgary Medical Exam ~ Review ~ Dr. Viljoen

[Team J and B 2]

What an imbecile of a doctor. No social skills much?

When you mentioned Hummingbird Spa I remember I went to the Vancouver location of that spa (it's a chain). How strange they have a doctor on-site to perform immigration medicals?

Does anyone know why there's only one immigration doctor per province? Sometimes not even? I'm thinking it's easy cash up front, and just one day a week, so why are there so little doctors willing to perform it?

On a side note, I was just looking at the I-693 and on page one it says you only need a chest x-ray for TB IF you had a reaction to the TB skin test. So, everyone (who went through Vancouver at least) who had their medicals done in Canada had the x-ray, and most of them were unnecessary. I think they should have given us a choice to do either the skin test or x-ray first, then we wouldn't have had to do ANOTHER TB test here in the USA. I just thought that was kind of running around in circles and not very effective. No one has requested my chest x-ray yet and I have to keep that thing from being damaged this whole time.

[Marilyn. 340]

that sucks....

although I am curious why you didn't get the MMR vaccine from your own doctor where it would have most likely been free or at least a little cheaper...

[MissStacey 1]

that sucks....

although I am curious why you didn't get the MMR vaccine from your own doctor where it would have most likely been free or at least a little cheaper...

I was wondering that too. I didn't pay for any of my shots when I went to the Health Unit.

[TheATeam 0]

That is a huge part of the reason that I chose to have my medical done in Vancouver rather than Calgary. What an AWFUL man! I couldn't ever get through to them when I tried to call, and they wouldn't phone me back if I left a message. For me, it was worth the extra 90 bucks to have it done in Vancouver. They were really awesome there! I didn't even have a "peek under the hood". Everything else but that! Strange, but good for me!

[Marilyn. 340]

That is a huge part of the reason that I chose to have my medical done in Vancouver rather than Calgary. What an AWFUL man! I couldn't ever get through to them when I tried to call, and they wouldn't phone me back if I left a message. For me, it was worth the extra 90 bucks to have it done in Vancouver. They were really awesome there! I didn't even have a "peek under the hood". Everything else but that! Strange, but good for me!

yeah same for me. I had a good experience at the Vancouver office too... very nice and professional there ..

they told us to come back around 2 or so to pick up our packets but me and this other girl came back earlier, like around 12:30/1 because it was raining out and we both had walked and had really no where else to go and the receptionist lady called us over and handed us our packets...

[SonoranSongbird 3]

He asks "how are you today?"

I say "fine thank you"

he says "you don't look fine?"

I say "I'm fine"

he says "so then what's with the long face?"

I'm a little pissed now, so I figure I'll just give him an honest answer "I am sure you can appreciate the annoyance of having to drive from Edmonton to Calgary for this exam."

He says "You should consider yourself lucky to even have a place to go. Dr. Chana in Edmonton retired from doing immigration medicals because he was sick of the complaining and whining immigration clients".

Wow, what complete and utter #######! I bet it's because you are supposed to be cute and smiley all the time because you are a woman. (I can't find the eyes rolling emoticon, but that should go here!)

Re Dr. Chana--I don't know but I think he got axed by the consulate (or whoever it is) because his decision to retire was awfully sudden if it was his choice (TheATeam made her appointment with him, and his office called back two or three days later to cancel because he was no longer doing the physicals).

My husband had a much better experience with Viljoen, but I think we were the only ones who did. I wanted him to get it in Vancouver for that reason too, but it turned out going to Calgary was much more convenient (his sister and nieces live there so he got in another visit). And now we think we need to get copies of the vaccination record from his office (for the I-693A?), which I'm not overwhelmingly looking forward to.

[trailmix 77]

My husband had a much better experience with Viljoen, but I think we were the only ones who did. I wanted him to get it in Vancouver for that reason too, but it turned out going to Calgary was much more convenient (his sister and nieces live there so he got in another visit). And now we think we need to get copies of the vaccination record from his office (for the I-693A?), which I'm not overwhelmingly looking forward to.

My Husband too didn't have a bad experience there. They were pretty friendly and aside from the usual dr. arrogance, it was ok.

No doubt the whole thing was very stressful for you Cat and i'm sure you are just glad it's over!

[MrsCat 6]

I am much more calm today. Hope the reporting is accurate and full. I am glad to see that not everyone had that type of treatment, and they went by without incident.

Though, I can say, I work for an insurance company and the whole way home I thought to myself - I hope our panel physicians don't treat our clients that way. It shed a whole new light and understanding that some doctors treat some patients with very little courtesy and respect, and why they adamently refuse to undergo these exams with certain physicians. Made me sad for them.

[JillA 2]

I feel lucky to be in Ontario, my experience at Dr. Seiden was smooth as ice, seamless I was in and out in an hour and a half. They were friendly, polite and courteous.

[Jenni and Bo 0]

Hmm..I'll have to haul ### to Halifax when my time comes, as there is only one assigned doctor for all of the Maritimes :S I love how the government really cherishes us East Coasters sometimes I'm lucky in the fact that I have family and friends down there, but I feel bad for others that do not have that luxury!

Has anyone had/heard of experiences with the Halifax Doctor?

<3 Jen

[Flames9_RN 358]

Hmm..I'll have to haul ### to Halifax when my time comes, as there is only one assigned doctor for all of the Maritimes :S I love how the government really cherishes us East Coasters sometimes I'm lucky in the fact that I have family and friends down there, but I feel bad for others that do not have that luxury!

Has anyone had/heard of experiences with the Halifax Doctor?

<3 Jen

yep Dr Doane on Quinpool road!! Right besides the Canadian Tire and Wendys!! A very quick physical. Asked a few questions and that was about it. One has a short drive over to the hospital where they take the xray and blood work--he gives you directions, but its not far. He can mail out your results as well, for an extra fee, think that cost me $20 back in 2004. Dr doane only takes cash (he did then at least), but one could pay the bloodwork/xray with a credit card I believe.

[Mephys 2]

Holy ####### Cat....

That is awful. Well maybe he is the one being a whiny ####### now that all the provinces around are stuck with him and he has to do "all of them" on his own...poor little bas...rd

Anyways, I think he could have been a little more professional instead of giving you attitude. Obviously they have no idea of the impact of the immigration process on one individual to call them whiny people....

I guess I can consider myself lucky that I had my medical at Dr seiden's in Montreal. Was quick, painless, everybody was nice and everything was done on site, took me less than 2 hours.

Anyways, at least now it's done and gone. You can focus on the next step ahead

[Meridien 0]

Wow - he really must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed that day - sounds like a very unpleasant experience. I went to see Dr. Viljoen for my medical back in March and found him to be...not particularly friendly, but efficient and polite enough. Unfortunately, there aren't alot of options so we just have to put up with it!

At least you're done with that step in the process now, good luck with your interview!

[Emancipation 2]

Hmm..I'll have to haul ### to Halifax when my time comes, as there is only one assigned doctor for all of the Maritimes :S I love how the government really cherishes us East Coasters sometimes I'm lucky in the fact that I have family and friends down there, but I feel bad for others that do not have that luxury!

Has anyone had/heard of experiences with the Halifax Doctor?

<3 Jen

Here's my review through hubby's eyes..

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;#entry557998

I didn't like that he took out a ruler and measured my tattoo (i was naked, he was behind me with a ruler measuring my tattoo - it felt icky.

UGH.. anyway.. he is professional (except that bit) and is very thorough..