Toronto Medical Review

[keysjangle 145]

I arrived at the building early at 7am. I was the only one there and the doors had signs showing the building was closed, and to use the intercom to gain access inside. I decided to pop over to Tim Horton's to kill some time. 

When I got back a couple of people slowly trickled towered the doors. One lady tried the intercom but no one answered. A couple more folks showed up and we stood around chatting until a security guard came and opened the door around 7:20. We all entered and headed towards the elevators. As we piled in, a lady who works in the building told us we need a key card before 7:30 to use the elevator. Bummer! We all got off and waited in the main foyer for a few minutes. A man who works for the building was pretty peeved that there were people storming the doors before 7:30. C'est la vie! After waiting a few minutes in the lobby a lady from Seiden's office called us all over asking if we were here for immigration medicals and asked us to please follow her onto the elevator. It was still before 7:30 as she used her keycard. Up to the 14th floor we went. 

The office is right by the elevators, can't miss it. We approached the front desk where the same lady from downstairs asked who had arrived first and to hand her our interview letters in that order. Technically, I was first, but I let an older lady and two nuns hand their letters over first - this didn't seem to matter once things got rolling in the clinic as I went before the nuns. There were about 5 groups, including myself. We were then ushered into a waiting room to wait for our names to be called. 

I was in the waiting room for maybe 10 or 15 minutes when I got called in by the "elevator lady." We went into an office and she took my passport, photos, and immunization letter. They glue your passport photos onto the paperwork, so there wasn't much point in writing my info on the back. I signed a few consent forms, handed over my $300, and the sealed referral to the x-ray clinic (big red 'do not open' stamp on it) and that was that. A nurse named Georgia (same name as me, ha!) then brought me into an exam room. 

I signed another consent form. She took my blood pressure, checked my pulse, and took my height and weight. She then instructed me to have a seat in the waiting room and wait to be called in for my blood work. She is super sweet I didn't wait long to get called for my blood draw. Signed another consent form. The nurse who did it was very good and quick, thankfully. She walked me back to my original exam room (#6) and instructed me to strip down to everything but my bra and put on an exam gown. Dr. Malcolm (very, very nice guy) arrived about 10 minutes later. 

He copied out my immunization record then began the exam. He asked if I had had any major surgeries, diseases, was on any medication, psychological/drug/alcohol problems, if I was a smoker and any long term health issues. I told him about my minor heart problem and he wasn't alarmed or anything. He didn't ask to see the paperwork from my doctor about it. He asked if my tattoos were done with clean equipment He then checked my mouth/throat, did a touch exam of my neck and clavicle area. He took some time to listen to my heart (perhaps because I told him about my issue?) He finished up and gave me the all clear. He handed back my immunization record and the form I'd been putting my consent signatures on and told me nurse Georgia would be back to do my "physical check" meaning to make sure I'm all female and in good visible health down there. She came in shorty after he left and had me lay back in the usual prone position women are used to at the doctor's and took about a  millisecond long to look. All done!

You then return to the very front desk of the office and hand over your consent form. The lady gave me a sheet showing when I could pick up my results and offered a map to the x-ray clinic which I didn't need. Adios, Dr. Seiden's office! I was out at 8:30. 

The radiology clinic is a grueling 60 second walk around the corner (South east side of Sherbourne) and in the basement. You can see the stairs leading down to it immediately upon entry to the foyer. Once in, you hand over your referral and have a seat with your passport ready. I got called in to change into my gown pretty quickly. You remove all clothing (bra too!) from the waist up. Leave your things in the change stall then have a seat on the comfy bench. I got called in within 5 minutes of sitting down. My nurse was very nice. I signed another form, presumably the referral as my photo was glued to it and handed her my passport for I.D. verification I presume. The x-ray was quick. I held a lead gown at my hips so that it covered everything that wasn't necessary for the image. I was in that room for maybe a minute and then went to change back into my clothes. You take the signed referral back to the front desk and they keep it. And that was it, all done. 

All said and done, the whole process took about an hour and a half - and that includes me wasting time. Get there early though, on my way out of Seiden's office the waiting room was packed! Two thumbs up for all the staff I met at both clinics  

*sorry for any weird typos, I wrote this up on my phone.

Edited May 1, 2012 by Gervl

[mb3 0]

This was very helpful, thanks! My appointment is tomorrow.

[Neela & Jitu 79]

Thanks Gervl....Very helpful review..

[keysjangle 145]

Just want to clarify something:

- There is one consent form you sign throughout the whole thing. I wrote it out in an awkward way. It's a form with your photo, a table with 3 rows (blood test, physical exam, and something else) which you sign beside each during each step. The nurse explained to me that the purpose of the form is to acknowledge that the medical results are solely for immigration purposes

Glad you guys found it useful! Good luck tomorrow, MB3, it's a breeze

Edited May 1, 2012 by Gervl

[EvilSquee 7]

Thanks for the great review, hopefully my fiance will be getting his medical there soon. Right now we're waiting for his passport to get back (he had to renew it) before sending in packet 3. Can any of you tell me approx how long it was between when you sent in packet 3 and when packet 4 was sent and you could schedule the interview? About how far out was the interview from when you scheduled it? What about the medical exam, how long was the wait for that? Any estimates are greatly appreciated!

[mb3 0]

OP, my experience could have not been any different that yours....Dr Seiden's office was great. Very efficient and courteous. I was out of there by 8:30.

Around the corner to the Radiology Lab, only to find out the x-ray machine was broken. The lady behind the desk kept telling people that it would be fixed "in an hour". Over FOUR hours later, I got my x-ray.

I don't live anywhere near Toronto, so coming back another day was not an option. In any case, I'm glad it's over with!

[keysjangle 145]

OP, my experience could have not been any different that yours....Dr Seiden's office was great. Very efficient and courteous. I was out of there by 8:30.

Around the corner to the Radiology Lab, only to find out the x-ray machine was broken. The lady behind the desk kept telling people that it would be fixed "in an hour". Over FOUR hours later, I got my x-ray.

I don't live anywhere near Toronto, so coming back another day was not an option. In any case, I'm glad it's over with!

Glad everything else went well Thankful I got there a day before, haha. Good luck with your interview!

Edited May 2, 2012 by Gervl

[keysjangle 145]

Thanks for the great review, hopefully my fiance will be getting his medical there soon. Right now we're waiting for his passport to get back (he had to renew it) before sending in packet 3. Can any of you tell me approx how long it was between when you sent in packet 3 and when packet 4 was sent and you could schedule the interview? About how far out was the interview from when you scheduled it? What about the medical exam, how long was the wait for that? Any estimates are greatly appreciated!

I'm doing a CR-1 visa, so things are different for me.

Here are some K1 timelines you can check out: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op1=&op2=&op3=1&op4=1&op5=&op6=All

[EvilSquee 7]

I'm doing a CR-1 visa, so things are different for me.

Here are some K1 timelines you can check out: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op1=&op2=&op3=1&op4=1&op5=&op6=All

thanks that was hard to filter but very useful info. Good luck on your interview!