How to Pick a Surgeon

When making decisions about your health or the health of a family member, there are many choices about which treatment to follow, which medications are available and which surgeon to use. Sometimes, it's hard to know where to find the information you need to make an informed decision. Here are some tips on how to pick a good surgeon before you get to the operating room.

Instructions

• 1

  Get a recommendation from your physician. Your doctor can assist you in finding a surgeon who has the necessary qualifications. If a specialist is required, he or she can help you locate the most experienced surgeon in that particular field of medicine.

• 2

  Research the surgeon's background. The American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) has a website with access to all the surgeons certified to specialize in a particular area. All certifications in surgical specialties require continuing education and recertification every 6 to 10 years. Check that your surgeon's board certification is up to date. To see if the surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), visit their website. Members submit to voluntary review and evaluation by their peers and meet the standards of the American College of Surgeons.

• 3

  Contact your State Board of Medicine to see if there are any malpractice charges against the surgeon you plan to use. This does not always indicate that the surgeon is unqualified. It is a good idea to know what the complaints are and whether there is more than one before you make your final decision.

• 4

  Verify accreditation of the hospital or surgery clinic where your surgeon has privileges. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHCO) inspects all areas of the facility to make sure it meets certain quality and safety standards. A surgery clinic may also be voluntarily accredited by Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAH).

• 5

  Schedule an initial visit with the surgeon and expect sincerity and frankness. A good surgeon will explain the treatment options and possible complications in terms that you understand. If you feel that you have not gotten all of your questions answered, search for another surgeon.