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For doctors

Referring a patient to Dr Kana

For GPs, specialists and dentists in South Africa and across the region. Everything you need in one place: when to refer, what to send, and a secure way to send letters and imaging without email.

Submit a secure referral

How to refer

Referral process

Referrals are accepted from registered medical and dental practitioners. Patients may also self-refer, although a letter from their doctor is helpful.

  1. 01

    Submit

    Complete the secure referral form and upload the referral letter and imaging.

  2. 02

    Review

    Imaging and clinical details are reviewed. The practice aims to respond within two working days.

  3. 03

    Consult

    An in-person consultation is arranged with the patient in Johannesburg.

  4. 04

    Feedback

    A written summary and management plan are sent to the referring practitioner.

By clinical service

Referral criteria and work-up

Skull-Base Surgery

Refer when

  • Radiologically confirmed lesion of the anterior, middle or lateral skull base
  • Suspected or confirmed CSF rhinorrhoea (beta-2 transferrin positive or clinical suspicion after trauma)
  • Pituitary lesion requiring surgical opinion, ideally with endocrine work-up
  • Progressive asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss with an internal auditory canal lesion on MRI

Include if available

  • MRI with gadolinium (DICOM files preferred over printed films)
  • Fine-cut CT of the paranasal sinuses or temporal bone where relevant
  • Pure-tone audiogram for lateral skull-base lesions
  • Pituitary hormone profile and visual field assessment for sellar lesions
Full clinical information
Head & Neck Oncologic Surgery

Refer when

  • Non-healing oral ulcer or mass persisting beyond three weeks
  • Neck mass in an adult persisting beyond three weeks, particularly with risk factors
  • Persistent hoarseness beyond three weeks in a smoker or adult over 45
  • Parotid or submandibular mass
  • Histologically confirmed head and neck malignancy requiring surgical opinion

Include if available

  • Contrast-enhanced CT or MRI of the head and neck (DICOM)
  • Histology or cytology reports, including referring laboratory details
  • Chest imaging where available
  • Summary of relevant comorbidities and current medication
Full clinical information
Sinus Surgery & Gland-Sparing Sialendoscopy

Refer when

  • Recurrent peri-prandial swelling or pain of the submandibular or parotid gland
  • Radiologically confirmed salivary calculus
  • Recurrent sialadenitis without an identified cause
  • Chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyps not responding to maximal medical therapy

Include if available

  • Ultrasound of the salivary glands, or CT where a calculus is suspected
  • Non-contrast CT of the paranasal sinuses for chronic rhinosinusitis
  • Summary of prior medical treatment and duration
Full clinical information
Otology & Complex Ear Surgery

Refer when

  • Chronic or recurrent ear discharge despite topical treatment
  • Suspected cholesteatoma (attic retraction, keratin debris, granulation)
  • Persistent tympanic membrane perforation
  • Conductive or mixed hearing loss on audiometry
  • Children with recurrent otitis media or effusion persisting beyond three months

Include if available

  • Pure-tone audiogram and tympanometry
  • CT of the temporal bone for chronic ear disease (DICOM)
  • Details of prior ear surgery, if any
Full clinical information
Airway & Sleep Apnoea Surgery

Refer when

  • Confirmed obstructive sleep apnoea with CPAP intolerance
  • Loud snoring with witnessed apnoeas in a child
  • Stridor or suspected subglottic or tracheal stenosis
  • Recurrent tonsillitis meeting accepted criteria for tonsillectomy

Include if available

  • Sleep study report (polysomnography or home study)
  • CPAP compliance data where available
  • Flexible nasendoscopy findings, if performed
  • CT neck or airway imaging for suspected stenosis
Full clinical information

Questions

Frequently asked by referring doctors

What is the referral process for a patient in Gaborone needing skull-base surgery?

Submit the referral letter and MRI/CT imaging through the secure referral portal. Dr Kana practises independently at Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, and the practice is a recognised provider for the Pula Medical Aid Fund. After the referral has been reviewed, the practice contacts you, and the documents your patient's scheme needs for pre-authorisation can be supplied. The patient remains responsible for obtaining pre-authorisation.

Will Dr Kana consult my patient by video before they travel?

No. Dr Kana is registered with the HPCSA, and a video consultation with a patient located in another country may require registration in that country. Any call with a patient outside South Africa before travel is administrative only, to plan logistics. No diagnosis, triage or clinical advice is given to the patient until they are seen in person in South Africa. The referring practitioner remains responsible for the patient's care in their own country.

Can I send imaging by email?

Please do not send patient information or imaging by standard email. The secure referral portal encrypts files in transit and at rest and records the patient's consent to cross-border transfer. DICOM files can be de-identified in your browser before upload.

Will I receive feedback on my patient?

Yes. A written summary is sent after the in-person consultation, and a discharge summary after any admission. Follow-up in the patient's home country remains with the referring practitioner.