How to Choose a Great Surgeon
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Go through these five steps to find and narrow your options:
Questions to bring with you when meeting your surgeon
(Print and bring with you to your appointment with the surgeon)
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4. Note the Office Experience:
Remember, it’s not only about finding the right physician but the right care team, which means the office staff, as well. “I have had major surgery myself,” shared Dr. Hall, noting the importance of a team that is responsive. “I paid attention to how office staff answered the phone, how easy or difficult it was to get my surgeon on the phone for a question, and if I felt I needed to come in, how long it took to get an appointment.”
3. Make an Appointment and Ask Questions :
When it’s time to meet with a surgeon, bring a list of questions with you.
“You’ll want to ask how many of these particular procedures they have done and about their outcomes,” said Dr. Mazraany. You also should ask:
2. Check Out Qualifications:
A simple google search will bring up information on any surgeon and program. Look for a surgeon who is fellowship trained (has extra training) in what you need, such as vascular, gynecologic, orthopedic procedures or thyroid removals. Find someone who is a member of a professional society, such as the American College of Surgeons or the American Pediatric Surgical Association. Belonging to these groups can help physicians keep up with the latest surgical techniques and trends. Also look to see if the surgeon has published any research. “You can also ask if they are known as a leader or have been recognized by their peers,” noted Dr. Hall.
1. Ask Around:
First, check with your primary care physician.
“The question to ask is not, ‘who should I go to,’ but ‘who would you recommend to your family member if they needed this procedure,’” noted Dr. Mazraany. For a routine or common surgery, like a hernia or knee operation, you can also ask family and friends who have undergone similar procedures about their experiences. “In a community hospital like ours, most of our patients come because someone recommended them,” said Dr. Mazraany.
If you haven’t had surgery yet, you likely will at some point in your life.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Americans undergo an average of nine surgeries from the time they are born until they time they die. That’s 51 million surgeries performed in this country annually. Unless a surgery must be done urgently, experts suggest that health consumers take time to do some research to find a surgeon and surgical program that best meets their needs.
Start your research by checking with your insurer to see which surgeons and hospitals are covered under your current health care plan.
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“A good surgeon is going to explain what will happen before, during and after the surgery and encourage questions,” Dr. Hall added. “If the physician doesn’t allow you to ask questions, you’ve got the wrong person.”
•What percentage of your patients have complications?
•How will you perform the surgery (open, with larger incisions or minimally-invasively with smaller cuts)?
•How long do your patients typically stay in the hospital?
•How soon will I be back on my feet?
5. Bedside Manner is Important:
It’s important to have a good rapport with any doctor you see, including your surgeon. You shouldn’t feel rushed. You should feel like you are making decisions about your care, together. This can ease the stress of the operation. “I cannot overemphasis the importance of the relationship between you and your surgeon,” explained Dr. Mazraany. “I call the patients I have operated on each week on Sundays –even when I’m on vacation- even when it’s a holiday. Skills are very important and drive good patient outcomes, but being nice, being human, means a lot.”
Other quick tip – even the most routine surgeries can be difficult to understand. You may want to bring a friend or family member to your first appointment with the surgeon to take notes you can refer to later.
“When you are sick or hurt and require a surgery, this can create anxiety for you and your family,” explained Dr. Hall. “A good surgeon and clinical team will go above and beyond to make sure you have the best experience possible.”
How long have you been a surgeon? Are you fellowship trained? Do you belong to any professional societies? Have you done research in this area?
How many of this particular type of procedure have you done in your career?
What have been the outcomes? What is your complication rate and what are those complications?
Please explain exactly what happens during the surgery. (If the surgery is being performed “open” (using larger incisions), is it possible to perform it “minimally invasively” (with smaller incisions, where there can be less chance of blood loss and a quicker recovery)? Why or why not?
Will there be pain and how will we manage pain?
What can I do to best prepare of surgery? Do I need to make any changes in the medications I take, prior to the procedure?
How long do your patients typically stay in the hospital? Will I need to go to a rehabilitation unit or have physician therapy after the surgery?
How soon will I be back on my feet – return to normal?
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Fortunately, there are many great hospitals and great surgeons in the northeast. How should consumers go about making the right choice? Especially since the word ‘surgery” can be frightening.
“Often the patient’s first thought is to go to a big-brand, city hospital or academic medical center,” noted Wassim Mazraany, MD, Chief of Surgery at Lowell General Hospital, part of Tufts Medicine. “While complex surgeries may require expertise that is only available at a larger institution, many surgeries can be successfully performed at your local, community hospital, near your home and family.”
Questions to bring with you when meeting your surgeon
(Print and bring with you to your appointment with the surgeon)
4. Note the Office Experience:
Remember, it’s not only about finding the right physician but the right care team, which means the office staff, as well. “I have had major surgery myself,” shared Dr. Hall, noting the importance of a team that is responsive. “I paid attention to how office staff answered the phone, how easy or difficult it was to get my surgeon on the phone for a question, and if I felt I needed to come in, how long it took to get an appointment.”
Start your research by checking with your insurer to see which surgeons and hospitals are covered under your current health care plan.
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Wassim Mazraany,
MD, Chief of Surgery at Lowell General Hospital
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Jason Hall,
MD, MPH, Chair of the Department of Surgery
“Patients tend to focus only on the operation itself but the experience of surgery requires assessment of the perioperative experience” explained Jason Hall, MD, MPH, Chair of the Department of Surgery at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. “Yes, you need to evaluate the provider who will perform the procedure, but you should be sure that the medical system has the preoperative and postoperative structures in place. Having all three phases addressed tends to increase the chances that best possible outcome will be achieved. A great surgeon and surgical team will work hand-in-hand with you throughout the entire process.”
Wassim Mazraany,
MD, Chief of Surgery at Lowell General Hospital