It looks like there's a pretty good chance I'll be facing some surgery soon.
I do have a surgeon who has been treating me to date.
That selection was basically lottery driven, she was the doctor on call when I went into the emergency room.
For the most part I haven't had issue with her. She is direct and doesn't pull any punches.
With that said however, I'm am concerned with how to evaluate her qualifications.
Someone can be the most pleasant person in the world, but hat doesn't mean I want them hacking up my gut.

Which raises the question, how does one go about evaluating a doctor's, specifically a surgeon's, skill set?

 

I asked my cardiologist for my options. Then I asked him who or where the best surgeons came from for my type of surgery. He told me where it was pioneered. I started there.

I ended up at the Cleveland clinic with their chief heart surgeon. I'm held together with fishing line.

I found him on the internet and submitted my records to him. That was 6 years ago. I'm still here and I've had no problems or side effects. My insurance company loved him. Look beyond your geographic area to cover all your options.

Good luck in your search. Other than travel, it doesn't cost anymore to have the best.

I wish you well.

fltsfshr

 

^
Grant, apparently you do not have an HMO?

Good luck Jerry. Sorry to hear about the need for surgery. We do live in an area with some pretty darn good docs. I'd ask around of the people you may know in the medical profession. They often know who is THE doctor to see. Perhaps your primary doc would tell you who he/she would see for the same type of treatment.

You are right that a great bedside manner does not=skill.

You can also "Google" a doc's name and find out pretty quickly if he/she has had any past malpractice issues or suspensions of license. I was when I found out the ortho who did my surgeries had a voluntary suspension of license and a trip to Betty Ford. The suspension was a year after my surgeries but who knows if he was using anything during my treatment.

 

Lainey

No HMO I carried major medical 100% after the first $6000, my choice of doctors. Everything else I self insured.
That's the way you do it when you're self employed and not under a group policy.

fltsfshr

 

^
Glad it worked out for you.

 

When I called my insurance company to tell them who I had, I was surprised they had no problem with Cleveland clinic and my surgeon. When I asked why, they said it was because they had the lowest rate of post surgical problems and was the better choice for them. They were another good source of information and affirmation.

I have no artificial or animal parts, just me. They didn't have robotic surgery locally. Now robotics are everywhere. Technological innovation was part of my choice.

fltsfshr

 

I used Google to do some background checking, like Lainey suggested. Then I asked every doctor and nurse I knew who the best ortho surgeon in my area was for repairing my knee. He's nuts, but he did one hell of a job putting me back together.

I picked my pulmonologist based on patient satisfaction ratings. He has one of the highest ratings in the state. The respiratory therapist that works out of his office is the best. Whenever there's been any kind of problem with my insurance company, she deals with them directly. I've never had to speak to the insurance company or any of my equipment providers since this mess began.

As for picking my cardiologist, I just asked my pulmonologist who he preferred to work with. My cardiologist has been a joy. I've never had a PCP, so I asked her to recommend someone. She told me I don't need one. If I have any issues , I am to call her and she'll consult with my pulmonologist to deal with whatever the problem is. I have her cell number as well as my pulmonologist's cell number. They don't want too many cooks in the kitchen, I guess.

So, I'm currently three for three in picking doctors.

 

I feel fortunate. I've had the same GP for almost 40 years and have not seem him in a couple years. If I have an issue, always minor, I'll deal with anyone in his office with an opening. Although we have friends who are nurses and doctors we seldom ask them for recommendations on anything. I'm extremely fortunate that I don't have do that kind of research yet. It's a crap shoot.

 

I look at healthgrades.com and vitals.com to see how other patients rate them, their education and whether they have malpractice suits against them. I like to know their experience levels, etc.

 

Unfortunately that is true. The issue of substance abuse among medical professionals is higher than anyone realizes. I got a letter from my ortho surgeon. He is no longer working at the hospital in Boston, though he is still a professor at Boston College. He is in practice in another area and I bet he has to pee in a cup on a regular basis to maintain his license. Maybe that's not a bad thing. At least now I know he's not using.