New York, particularly Syracuse, is known for the numerous industries that it possesses, one of which is excellent medical care and service. A shoulder replacement surgery is a major surgery, so if you must undergo one, you should not take the risk of settling for the services of an incompetent surgeon. Your shoulder affects your daily mobility; hence, you have to leave little to no room for error at all. This article gives you a list of tips that can guide you in finding the right surgeon for you.
- Ask for referrals
One of the best ways for you to get a headstart on finding a good surgeon in Syracuse is to ask around for recommendations and referrals. There’s little to no chance at all that someone will recommend a surgeon to you if they do not think that this doctor is a qualified one. You can ask around for recommendations from the following:
- Friends, family, and colleagues who may have undergone the same
- Doctors you may know of in Syracuse, or any part of New York, as they will surely know the ins and outs of the medical industry
- Online support group or pages, such as helphealmeortho.com
As you ask for referrals, you can also ask them about their overall feedback about the experience, and if that doctor was able to offer them a pleasant surgical experience and recovery or not.
- Consult with at least two to three surgeons
When you are trying to narrow down your options, it is best if you consult with at least two to three surgeons. Be patient and do not rush your decision-making process by immediately saying “yes” to the very first surgeon that you consult with. Do ask questions as well, all of them, if possible, such that you can have a means of measuring how knowledgeable or how experienced this particular shoulder replacement surgeon is in Syracuse.
If you find anything off with a specific doctor, then tick them off your list. Always trust your first instincts.
- Check the credentials of your surgeon
Before making a final decision, too, make it a habit first to check the credentials of your surgeon. These credentials can also give you a bird’s eye perspective as to the qualifications of your surgeon. Do check to see the following:
- Diplomas from medical school
- Certifications from further training and specializations attended
- Certificate from the board of surgeons
- License to practice as a doctor and permit to operate a clinic
When you ask about the documents mentioned above, you can double check if the doctor that you are dealing with is highly capable or not, and most of all, if he possesses all legal requirements to operate.
- Ask for communication lines
When you are trying to connect with a surgeon in Syracuse, remember that you will not only be communicating directly with the doctor; for some matters, you may have to talk first with their secretary. It is crucial, therefore, that you choose a doctor that practices an open communication line with his parents. This fact comes in handy when there may be concerns or questions that you want to bring up.
If you feel like a particular doctor is difficult to reach, and their staff is unpleasant and rude to deal with, then you have no business at all putting your trust and confidence on that particular surgeon.
- Inquire about their success and accident rates
One of the most important criteria that you should have in mind is that you should trust only the doctor that is free of any malpractice cases or court litigation, be it in the past, or the present, which they could be hiding. To be 100% sure about it, you can even ask the records of your local court building, or hall of justice, to verify if a particular surgeon is practicing legally, or unfortunately, illegally.
This situation may seem like an impossible one to you, but there have been many cases already all over the world where patients have made the mistake of trusting a surgeon that they, later on, found out was operating without the necessary permits and licenses.
- Ask about their hospital connections
More often than not, excellent and qualified doctors are connected with major hospitals that also have a reputation to uphold. If you want to make sure that you have the best of the best surgeons, ask these doctors what hospitals they are affiliated with other than the current one they work for. Asking about this matter is even more important, especially if a particular surgeon you are consulting with holds clinic outside of a hospital.
Conclusion
Yes, surgery is a frightening experience, but when an excellent doctor handles you, the experience does not have to be daunting at all. Putting your shoulder in the care of a surgeon that you can trust is extremely important. Regarding health matters, you cannot take any risks and second chances. The most important thing that you should have in mind is that you should be able to put your full trust in that doctor.
