Internal Medicine at Chinook Medical Centre — by physician referral
What This Covers
Some symptoms don’t fit neatly into a single diagnosis, or persist despite initial investigation. This page covers complex diagnostic assessment for symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, swelling (edema), fainting or near-fainting (syncope), and unexplained weight change — bringing together an internal medicine perspective when the picture isn’t yet clear.
Common Reasons for Referral
- Persistent, unexplained fatigue
- Unexplained swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
- Fainting or near-fainting episodes without a clear cause
- Unintentional weight loss or gain
- Abnormal test results that don’t fit a clear pattern, or symptoms that haven’t responded to initial treatment
Symptoms and Risk Factors
These symptoms can arise from many different underlying causes — heart, lung, kidney, hormonal, blood, or other conditions — which is why a broader internal medicine assessment can help when the cause isn’t yet clear.
Risk factors vary widely depending on the underlying issue being considered.
When Urgent Medical Attention May Be Needed
Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting with injury or that recurs without warning, confusion, or rapid unexplained weight change with other concerning symptoms warrant urgent or emergency assessment rather than a scheduled referral.
What Dr. Srini May Assess
A broad review of your symptoms, history, and prior test results to identify patterns, narrow the possible causes, and coordinate further investigation where needed — bringing an internal medicine lens to symptoms that cross multiple body systems.
Tests That May Be Considered
Blood work, urine testing, imaging, or heart-rhythm monitoring, selected based on your specific symptoms and history rather than a fixed panel.
General Treatment and Monitoring Approach
Depends entirely on findings — may include further testing, referral to a specific subspecialist if a clear diagnosis emerges, or an individualized management plan. The goal is clarity and a coordinated next step.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Bring a current medication list, a summary or timeline of your symptoms, and copies of relevant prior test results or imaging reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my symptoms don’t have a clear diagnosis?
That’s a common reason for this type of referral. The goal is a structured assessment to narrow possibilities and identify appropriate next steps, even when a single clear answer isn’t immediate.
Will I need to see other specialists?
Possibly. Part of the assessment is determining whether findings point toward a specific subspecialty, and coordinating that referral if so.
How long does this kind of assessment take?
It varies by complexity — some questions resolve in one or two visits, others take longer as test results come back and patterns become clearer.
Do I need a referral?
Yes — a referral from a family physician or nurse practitioner is required.
How to Obtain a Referral
Already a Chinook Medical Centre patient? Ask your doctor whether a referral to Dr. Srini is right for you.
Don’t have a family doctor? Become a patient at Chinook Medical Centre — once established with one of our family physicians, they can assess whether a specialist referral is needed.
For referring physicians and nurse practitioners: Download the referral form below, complete it, and fax it to us at 403-384-9798. For questions, call 403-384-9799.
Download the Dr. Srini Internal Medicine Referral Form (PDF)
Manage Your Prescriptions
If your treatment plan includes medication, Chinook Guardian Pharmacy is located on-site, right in the same building — making it easy to fill prescriptions, ask questions, and stay on track with refills.
Sources
General internal medicine patient-education framing.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Srinivasan Narasimhalu, MD, FRCPC. This page is for general education and does not replace individual medical advice. If you have symptoms that concern you, contact your healthcare provider or, for urgent symptoms, seek immediate care.
