What is the best way to find a competent physician?
I found a doctor who does Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery on line. He had favorable ratings. Unfortunately he also was arrested for drunk driving.
I notice that many Plastic Surgeons do the procedure and some Orthopedic Surgeons also do it.
Some call themselves hand Surgeons.
The Hospital For Special Surgery in Manhattan recommends the more invasive surgery over Endoscopic.
I don’t live in Manhattan and I am unsure how to choice the right doctor.
I would appreciate any information you have.
Thank you.
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8 Answers
I would try to find a doctor at a hospital associated with a good university. If it’s a good university they are going to hold the doctors to pretty high standards.
Consult with several and hear what they have to say. Find someone who does many of the procedures per year. I know I’d take a MD with a DUI arrest and thousands of successful procedures over one that lectures at universities all over the country but only does dozens of cases per year.
Also talk with your primary care physician. They often know the inside scoop on these things and can help you make good medical choices for your personal medical situation.
@Adirondackwannabe
These days they all call themselves teaching hospitals. Doctors who drink and drive scare me. They may operate drunk too.
I know one doctor at our local hospital who does it. The problem is my insurance will only cover one consult. These money hungry jerks all refuse to provide detailed information without a Consultation.
What I would like is to find people that had the procedure from someone who is here.
That was my second thought, find someone who has had the operation. Yeah, I’m with you on the drinking and driving. If they’re that irresponsible what are they going to do during the operation?
My father is a doctor – but in another State. When I lived near him I was able to bounce names off my dad – and if the doctor wasn’t well known (well known for either being very talented or not competent) he could usually reach out to his other friends and colleagues in other specialties and get the scoop.
I find that doctors know their peers best. Find one good doctor that you really trust (preferably your general practioner or internist—someone who can recommend you to specialists) and ask: “If it was you, who would you trust to do this operation?”
When I moved over a decade ago to MN it took me some time to find good doctors. One place to look is in a publication (if your city has them) like this one. The unfortunate thing, however, is that usually by the time a doctor is listed as a “top” in your city they might not be accepting new patients.
I lucked into a good OB about a decade ago and in recent years he’s consistently in the “Top Doctors” award lists. Lucky for me – I’ve been under his care for years and now he’s not accepting new patients. Also, because he’s so well regarded in our community, when he recommends me to another doctor (for example, the surgeon he sent me to was amazing—and also makes the top doctors lists each year) I end up with wonderful care.
So – shop around until you find a doctor you really trust. Then take his/her recommendations on who to have help you with specialty care. Even in a larger size city – the true stand-outs (both good and bad) are known among their peers.
Beware of ratings/review websites for physicians (or any health care providers). Many such websites are commerical and proprietary, and people post stellar comments about themselves. What you read is nothing more than an advertisement posing as an unbiased consumer forum.
The best way to find a doctor is by recommendation and referral. You can rely on friends who have had good experiences. In general, you can also rely on a known, trusted physician referring you to another physician.
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