Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Surgeon
Choosing the right surgeon to meet your needs is a serious matter. Even for the most minor of operations, you want to know that you’re in good hands. So, how can you tell the difference between making the right choice and heading for a medical malpractice lawsuit? The following factors can help.
Recommendations
You should treat surgeons just like any other business. You wouldn’t let just anyone work on your furnace, right? Chances are, you would ask people you know for recommendations or check online reviews.
While you can’t check a surgeon’s star rating on Google, you can rely on friends and family to give you a recommendation. You should also ask your doctor if there’s anyone they can recommend to get the process started. This is an excellent way to kickstart your search.
Surgeon Type
Not all surgeons are created equal. While general surgeons can perform most types of surgery, some professionals are experts in various types of operations. You might need a cardiac, orthopedic, or bariatric surgeon depending on the type of care you plan to receive.
You should also take this time to look at their credentials. Do they have board certification and are those certifications up to date? Do they have the proper credentials to be a specialist in this type of operation or just for general surgery?
Comfort Level
Once you find a few highly recommended surgeons that are trained to handle your operation, the next step is to meet with them. You should feel comfortable talking with this professional, they should put your mind at ease as much as possible, and they should explain things in a way that you can understand.
Keep in mind that this aspect is subjective. You may like a surgeon that your friend couldn’t stand or felt uneasy about. Don’t be afraid to keep looking if you feel uneasy. Having a professional relationship with your doctor of choice is highly beneficial to the process.
Post-Operative Support
While the primary aspect of any surgery is the operation, your specialist of choice should also help you with preparation and any necessary after care. Attorneys that handle Denver car accidents recommend finding a doctor who offers comprehensive support afterward, providing extra help during the healing process so you can get back on your feet faster.
Testimonials
If you’ve received recommendations, checked their credentials, and had a sit-down conversation but are still unsure, then it never hurts to look for testimonials. Learning what previous patients had to say about their operations can be highly beneficial when picking the right surgeon.
Don’t hesitate to ask the doctor if you can speak with prior patients, either. Professionals, of course, display the best testimonials on their websites. Speaking with previous patients over the phone can help you get a better idea of what to expect.
Location
With primary care physicians, a closer proximity is vital. That isn’t always the case with surgeons, though. In some cases, it makes more sense to travel for an operation. You might live in a rural area, the cost could be cheaper elsewhere, or your chosen surgeon might simply be located further away. This factor should only be considered when traveling makes sense. Otherwise, it’s inconsequential to your surgery.