Frequently Asked Questions

Primary health care management of acute and chronic conditions. AKA Dr Chili is still available to provide routine "GP" care. This includes primary mental health care, working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Please be aware, that mental health is a special interest, but Dr Chili cannot be a substitute for a mental health specialist if one is required.

Desire discrepancy AKA Low Libido Pleasure problems: Difficulty with arousal, difficulty with climax/ orgasm - too fast, too slow, not at all , too sore Pain during sex Pelvic pain, genital pain, bladder pain Erection issues: not happening, too weak, too fast Screenings: Cervical smears (pap smears), Prostate screening with PSA bloodwork, STI screens and infection management as needed, Mammograms, breast examinations Recurrent infections like Candida ("yeast" infection/ "thrush"), UTIs Abnormal discharge Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Endometriosis and/ pelvic pain Contraception and Family planning Menopause - the peri-, the post-, and the "I have no idea what is going on with my hormones". Along with any symptoms that may be occurring. Screenings also include Mammograms and Bone Density Scans Andropause Pre and Post exposure prophylaxis for STIs Advice, counselling , Sex Ed (good luck getting Dr Chili to stop talking) regarding sexuality, safe sexual practices, what is sex even Hormonal therapy for menses cessation, masculinising HRT, Feminizing HRT

Remote consultation uses technology, such as video calls and messaging, to deliver medical care remotely, allowing patients to consult healthcare providers from home via phone or computer. This approach enhances access to healthcare, particularly for those living far from facilities or facing mobility challenges. This also allows for those who prefer, to access care from the safety of their own space. It facilitates check-ups, follow-ups, and prescription renewals without in-person visits. Dr. Chili advocates for telemedicine as a means to improve service accessibility and availability.

If you haven’t received your intake forms or Bookem Video link, please CHECK YOUR SPAM folder. Occasionally emails from Bookem (our practice management system) land up in spam If this is the case, remember to MARK AS SAFE so that this does not happen in future The Video link for your consultation will be sent 1 hour before your scheduled appointment time. If you can’t find the links to your confirmation email or intake forms and you have checked your spam folder, please message Dr Chili via Bookem or send a mail to drnicolechili@gmail.com

We kindly encourage you to complete the intake forms with as much detail as you feel comfortable providing. This information can greatly enhance the value of your online consultation by allowing us to focus on the specific reasons for your visit, rather than spending precious time discussing your medical history, medications, and lifestyle. Please rest assured that Dr. Chili will ensure that shared information is treated as confidential. If you feel uneasy about sharing your medical history prior to your meeting with Dr. Chili, you are welcome to skip the forms for now. However, please keep in mind that you will need to address these questions during the consultation. (This is separate to the Intake Form with T&Cs which is compulsory to render medico-legally ethical care)

As per the POPI Act of 2013, All personal and medical information is maintained with confidentiality. This information is securely stored within an encrypted electronic record system. Any information provided will not be disclosed to any third party without your explicit consent. This includes sharing information with family members, partners, or employers. In the case of complex conditions, Dr. Chili may consult with senior colleagues or other members of the multidisciplinary team, such as physiotherapists or psychologists, to enhance her clinical knowledge and skills for your benefit. During these consultations, your identifying information will remain protected. If you would prefer for this to not happen, in the case of your care, please notify Dr. Chili directly. Please be aware that it is our ethical commitment to provide the highest quality of care while ensuring confidentiality.

As mentioned above, we are not contracted to any medical aids. This means we do not do any submissions to them on your behalf. This means that you pay upfront and can use the paid invoice to claim back from your insurer. Please note that the amount contributed by your medical aid is determined by them.

A cancellation needs to happen more than 24 hours prior the confirmed consultation time for a refund or postponement to be allocated. Unfortunately, if cancelled less than 24 hours prior consultation time, you will be charged in full. Luckily, Bookem makes it easy to cancel the appointment entirely within your control. Follow the booking link in the confirmation email to do so. Kind reminder: Medical aids will not contribute to the cost of missed appointments.

Script requests will take 2-3 business days to respond to. If you feel your request is urgent, book the soonest available consultation. To request a prescription request alone (no consultation), select the "Script Request" service (@ Appointments). Time or date of the service booking is not important. What IS IMPORTANT: Script requests are completed only if the following criteria has been met: - You have had a consultation with Dr Chili in the last 6 months (pertaining to the medication you are requesting) - You have paid for the script and Dr Chili recieved PoP what this means: If you book the service and use an online payment link (e.g Snapscan or Yoco) the request will be confirmed immediately - these payment services are linked with Bookem directly and as such Dr Chili is automatically notified If you pay via bank transfer, only when the Proof of Payment is manually noted, will the script request be valid. Scripts will NOT be completed: - If no PoP is sent through - If you have not consulted with Dr Chili in the last 6 months (regardless of payment method) PoP to drnicolechili@gmail.com

Dr Chili is currently available for online consultations. To book, please see the Appointments Tab.

Sexual health encompasses bodily autonomy and agency, the ability to know and navigate ones own pleasure, and the intention and meaning behind these behaviours. Sexual health is not just about preventing negative consequences of sexual encounters, like unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Sexual health is about curiously seeking to understand your edges and boundaries, your ability to lean in and learn from your body as well as connecting to others in a meaningful and safe way. Sexual health includes, but is not limited to: - Understanding how to make informed decisions when negotiating consent - A positive, pleasure based approach to understanding selves as sexual and sensual beings - Access to the Sex Ed we never received, in the form of continuous life-long learning. This should allow us to know our rights, our responsibilities to others and provide a foundation for self-advocacy - The recognition and acknowledgement of diversity in gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, preferences and behaviours Lastly, the ability to understand that an intersectional lens must always be applied, as we are all individuals that interact within and amongst systems around us.

Once you have booked your consultation: You will receive a Confirmation of Booking email. This includes links to your Client Intake Form and and possibly a Pre-Consultation Questionnaire. Please complete this information before the consultation. The email will also include a link - to the in person GPS location, OR a link to join the online video call. You will be reminded about your appointment via email - if online, reminder will be sent one hour prior (Video call link will be here too). Please join the link at least 3 minutes prior to your appointment time. If you do not receive a confirmation of booking email - the booking is not confirmed - If you have paid to secure your booking, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Chili on drnicolechili@gmail.com - If you have paid via EFT, a kind reminder to send PoP to the email address above (otherwise we have no way of being able to confirm the booking at the time it is made)

We are a "cash" based practice. This means that we are not contracted to medical aids and as such you need to pay upfront for your consultation. Payment options available include SnapScan, Yoco as well as EFT bank transfers. Payment is made at the time of booking, to secure the booking time slot. When a booking is requested, an invoice is automatically generated, specific to your request. If Payment is made using Yoco or SnapScan, the booking is automatically confirmed as it links with our booking system. EFT bank transfer must be manually noted by Proof of Payment, sent to drnicolechili@gmail.com with your invoice number as reference. For scripts and other admin related queries, proof of payment must be received prior to documentation being sent off. After your consultation you will receive your paid invoice, which you can then use to claim back (amounts are dictated by insurers) from your medical aid directly.

Invoices are automatically generated when a booking is requested. Once the invoice is paid, you will receive the receipt AKA Paid invoice after the consultation. It may take up to a week after the consultation. The paid invoice can be used to claim from Medical aid.

You should kindly and quickly make your way to the closest emergency unit See further contact details below: For a Medical emergency dial 10177 for an ambulance 112 from a cellphone 084-124 for ER24 082-911 for Netcare Medical & Fire: 021 535 1100 Poison Information Helpline (AfriTox): 0861-555-777 Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567 OR SMS: 31393 Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Line 24hr helpline: 0800 12 13 14 or SMS 32312 Childline: 0800 055 555 South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) Mental Health Crisis Line: 011 262 6396, 0800 567 567 It is not possible to render emergency services remotely

During a consultation, your medical history—covering symptoms, history, and health concerns—is crucial for an accurate diagnosis, often more so than physical exams or tests. It informs the necessary physical examinations or further investigations. Video consultations provide the doctor with valuable insights into your condition. If a more formal examination is required, you'll be asked to schedule an in-person visit or see your local GP. For investigations, forms can be sent remotely so you can visit a nearby lab. Any baseline examinations can be conducted by any medical professional at a local facility. If you need blood tests, X-rays, or scans, we will provide the necessary documentation via email. If tests are conducted, a follow-up consultation is required to discuss results, which will incur standard follow-up fees. However, if results are normal and no further action is needed, we will email you at no extra charge.

As a first time GP patient, please consider a longer intake consultation. For any new patients seeking Sexual Health , Gender Affirming Health , Mental Health, or Chronic Pain, a 45 minute consultation is highly recommended for quality care. Consultations: 30 min : R 845 45 min: R 1450 60 minutes: R 1950 Administrative requests made during consultation; R350 per 15 minutes or part thereof: - Medical report - Motivation letters - Referral letter to specialist - Transfer of Care Letter A consultation needs to be done prior to the request being complete Prescription fee - Is included in the consultation cost - for monthly schedule 6 prescriptions: R 250 (if Dr Chili has been consulted with in the last 6 months) - requests can be made through Bookem messaging for known patients. Alternatively via email. Requests will not be fulfilled without being consulted in the last 6 months. House Calls: R1950, within 5 km radius of gardens. Availability dependent. For known patients of Dr Chili. An additional R400 is charged per added family members/loved ones. Medication, procedures, laboratory, and radiology costs are not included.