Ask Tough Questions Before Choosing a Doctor

Dan Frith

Contributor

1 CommentPrint ArticleSubscribe

It amazes me to see how many people chose a doctor based solely upon "word of mouth" or convenience. That doctor, whose office is just down the street, may have 5 pending medical malpractice cases against her and the state board of medicine may be getting ready to suspend her medical license...but that co-worker told you how nice she is so you just decide to place your health (and life) in her hands. Happens all the time.

Be an informed consumer of medical care. If you are in Virginia, check out the doctor's credentials with the Virginia Board of Medicine. At least you will know if the doctor graduated from the Southwest Antigua School of Art and Medicine. The site will also disclose whether the physician is board certified in a recognized specialty like cardiology, internal medicine, geriatrics, etc. You see anyone can "focus" their practice in certain areas of medicine but what you need to know is whether they passed a certification test which examines the depth and extent of their knowledge in a certain medical area.

Are you considering surgery? If so, why not ask your surgeon how many times has he performed the recommended procedure? What is his complication rate (not what is the national complication rate)?

My Take: If your doctor doesn't look good after checking him/her out...go somewhere else! If your doctor refuses to answer questions about his/her complication rates...it is probably because the answer will not make him/her look good...go somewhere else!