Resources
Resources and self-check tools
At Canberra Vein and Laser Medicine, we believe that informed patients make more confident, healthier decisions. This page gathers three short self-check tools and a set of downloadable guides. You can also explore FLOW for patient guides and short videos that explain symptoms, scans, treatment and recovery. The checklists help you record symptoms and questions for a clinician. They do not calculate risk, grade disease or diagnose the cause. The guides are written for GPs, allied health practitioners and patients, and can be printed or shared.
More to explore in FLOW
The FLOW patient library brings together clear, referenced guides on vein symptoms, assessment, treatment and recovery. If you prefer to watch, FLOW films explain these topics in short videos. These resources can help you prepare questions for your appointment; they do not replace advice for your own circumstances.
Self-check tools
Varicose vein symptom checklist — nine questions on family history, occupation, pregnancies, weight, symptoms and skin changes. Records your answers without calculating risk.
Pelvic symptoms checklist — for women with chronic pelvic pain. Nine questions to prepare a discussion with a clinician; they do not determine whether the cause is venous.
Leg symptoms and skin changes checklist — an unscored record of heaviness, aching, swelling, skin changes and slow-healing sores to discuss with a clinician.
You can leave questions unanswered. Each checklist summarises your choices without storing or sending them. A skin change, slow-healing sore or new swelling deserves assessment even if you have no other symptoms. The checklists cannot establish or exclude a diagnosis.
Guides for download
- Duplex ultrasound indications guide — when a venous duplex is likely to change management.
- Leg swelling and vein disease referral guide — sorting venous from other causes of leg swelling and when to refer.
- Venous skin change guide — pigmentation, eczema, lipodermatosclerosis and what they signal.
- Venous ulcer referral guide — early referral of leg ulcers with a venous component.
For referrers
Referral forms and information sheets for GPs, specialists and allied health practitioners are on the referrers page, together with the secure referral portal.
FAQ
Questions people ask
- Do the self-check tools give a diagnosis?
- No. Each tool asks a short set of questions and summarises the answers you select without a score or risk category. A diagnosis needs a history, examination and, usually, duplex ultrasound, which is what an assessment at the clinic provides.
- Are my answers stored?
- The tools run in your browser and do not send your answers to the clinic. If you would like the result discussed, bring it with you or mention it when you book.
- Can I share the guides with my GP?
- Yes. The guides are PDFs written for GPs and other health practitioners as well as patients, and can be printed, emailed or attached to a referral.