When working with an orthopedic surgeon, you should be aware of the qualities that can provide the best experience and healthcare outcomes. You’ll want an orthopedic surgeon who is attentive to your needs, provides high-quality medical services and has a track record of successful treatment plans.
There are numerous ways that you can screen your orthopedic surgeon to make sure that they are a good fit for you. It is best to speak to a team of reliable and certified surgeons to learn more about your diagnosis and how your disease or disorder can improve.
Learning more about orthopedic surgeons and what they have to offer will help you choose the best one. Here are some common questions that you should ask.
What Do Orthopedic Surgeons Do?
Orthopedic surgeons are medical specialists who help prevent common disorders that impact the musculoskeletal system. For example, orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat disorders of the bones, muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments.
Your doctor may specialize in different areas of the body. In some cases, an orthopedic surgeon might be a foot, ankle, hip, knee, neck, or spine specialist.
The orthopedic surgeon will initially diagnose your medical issue by performing a physical exam, requesting that you undergo lab tests, reviewing your medical history, and asking you specific questions about your current condition.
After reviewing your case and, if necessary, consulting with other doctors, your orthopedic doctor will provide you with several options regarding your treatment approach.
You may or may not need surgery based on the type of medical disorder you have. They provide you with the best intervention strategy to deliver top-notch healthcare outcomes.
What Certifications Should Orthopedic Surgeons Have?
Orthopedic surgeons undergo lengthy and strenuous training and study before they’re able to work with patients.
They first begin at an accredited 4-year medical school program, and once they have completed their education, they can move on to a five-year accredited orthopedic residency program.
Not all orthopedic surgeons are board-certified because it is not a requirement for their practice. The most competent orthopedic surgeons will get board-certified to show their level of knowledge.
Before entering the board certification process, candidate surgeons have to complete their approved residency training program. They then have to undergo a rigorous examination in their specialty of choice.
The board certification is a two-part exam with multiple-choice questions in the first part and an oral examination in the second part.
Does Their Success Rate Matter?
While the success rate of an orthopedic surgeon shouldn’t be the only determining factor for working with them, they should have a strong track record.
You will want an orthopedic surgeon who can make your operation successful, which means that your surgeon should have experience in the type of procedure you plan to receive.
The orthopedic surgeon that you work with should have low complication rates showing that they are very adept at providing error-free operations.
In a study on the success rate of surgeons, it was found that throughout most surgeries, surgeons did not experience a single complication in at least 50 operations recorded within the five years covered by the research analysis.
You won’t want to work with a surgeon that is likely to engage in some form of medical malpractice.
What Are Other Qualities To Look For in Orthopedic Doctors?
Not only should your orthopedic surgeon be well-trained with years of experience, but also they should be intuitive with a reasonable attitude towards your medical condition.
Here are some common qualities you will want when working with an orthopedic surgeon and their team.
Good Bedside Manner
A caring, considerate, and thoughtful doctor will have your best interests at heart. The orthopedic surgeon should be aware of your needs and be very respectful and have strong communication skills.
They must be able to clearly explain how the procedure works and what you can expect, any risks associated with the treatment plan, and answer your questions.
The doctor should not be cold, aloof, lack empathy, or ignore your needs. They should also be able to work closely with your family so that they understand how to support you during your treatment.
Strong Ethics
Orthopedic surgeons should be ethical and not motivated by money or prestige. Your doctor should provide an honest diagnosis of your medical disorder.
If you don’t require surgery, your orthopedic surgeon should recommend non-invasive treatments. There are also minimally-invasive surgeries that are provided for patients that need to recover faster or prefer a less invasive approach rather than open surgery.
The doctor shouldn’t exaggerate your problem, pressure you to undergo a specific treatment or therapy, or misdiagnose you to get paid for healthcare you don’t need. They also shouldn’t make false insurance claims.
No Pending Lawsuits
Do some research on your orthopedic surgeon or clinic and make sure they don’t have any pending lawsuits by former patients. This is usually a bad sign and shows that some form of malpractice happened to a patient.
If a doctor frequently causes medical errors that result in medical malpractice, then you shouldn’t be working with them.
Top-Notch Customer Service
Make sure that you work with a medical team that provides high-quality customer service and valuable resources that make your experience pleasant. Your orthopedic clinic should show they care about you.
The doctor, nurses, or admin should follow up with you in a timely manner and answer all the questions that you direct towards them. Slow responses, poor follow-up, and insufficient answers are a sign of poor customer service and a disconnected team.
Flexible Payment Options
Work with a medical clinic that allows you to pay with convenience. You should be able to pay with insurance, debit or credit cards, cash, or personal checks.
The payment process should be easy and simple, with straightforward invoices. If you can’t afford a lump-sum payment, the clinic should have resources that connect you to a program that provides a payment plan.
Transportation
You may not be able to drive yourself to your appointment. Your medical clinic should provide transportation when your family members or friends cannot drop you off at the clinic.
The transportation services should also be easy to schedule and reliable. Drivers should have a clean background and a safe driving history.
Cutting Edge Technology
Although orthopedic surgeons are well-trained in their discipline, they should constantly learn and grow as technology evolves. The medical team should have the most modern medical technology available and should constantly update their treatment strategy.
Your doctor should be well-versed in the latest scientific research. You shouldn’t work with a medical facility that has outdated equipment or limited treatment options because they haven’t incorporated newer approaches.
Support Patient Decisions
Another important quality that your orthopedic surgeon should have is that they support your decisions. They shouldn’t pressure you, manipulate you, or scare you into making a decision. Because you’re working with your doctor to make an important medical decision, they should be respectful of your opinion, emotions, and beliefs.
While they may try to help you understand why their experience may be more reliable, your input also matters. This is especially true if you have a religious belief that dictates what you can or can’t do medicinally.
Learn More About Your Medical Treatment
To learn more about whether or not an orthopedic doctor is a good fit for you, you should reach out to a team of medical experts who can help you. Before you begin, make a list of questions that you want to ask your orthopedic surgeon.
You should also do your research and compare different medical facilities to be sure that they have all the valuable qualities you need.
You want to come prepared for your initial consultation. Bring your checklist of questions, medical records, x-rays if you already have them, and any other information your doctor may need to give you an overview of treatment approaches.
Ask your doctor questions and pay attention to how they interact with you. If they are too busy to take the time to answer all your questions or are unable to schedule a convenient time for you, they may not be able to focus on your needs. You should work with an orthopedic clinic that is professional, reliable, dedicated, and helpful.
Orthopedic treatments are transformational because you are getting treated for musculoskeletal disorders that can affect your way of life. Your comprehensive treatment plan can include non-invasive treatment approaches such as medication, physical therapy, massage therapy, nutrition, and more.
If you have a serious medical disorder, you may consider non-invasive or traditional surgery to help you overcome the problem.
There is a wide variety of treatment approaches available to you that you and your family can review. You can click cedaorthopedicgroup.com to learn more.
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