Whether you’re struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome, cubical tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s contracture, or wrist tendonitis, making sure that you have access to a reliable orthopedic surgeon is the first step to getting the treatment you need. However, with the influx of surgeons out there with varying specialties, it can be hard to pick the right one who can address your concerns. To help you with your search, here are some tips that can aid in evaluating potential orthopedic surgeons that can give you the best course of treatment.
Ask for referrals.
Before searching elsewhere, it would be best to consult your primary care doctor for a referral list. They usually have the best network and have contact information of specialists that can best treat you. It would also help to reach out to your friends, family, and other health care professionals that you know for recommendations. Once you get a list, you can then research the surgeons’ credentials and experience to gauge whether or not they’re right for you. As you narrow and filter your list, make consultation appointments to meet and interview each one.
Do research.
As mentioned above, it’s best to do thorough research on your prospective surgeons to know if they can provide the best treatment for you. You should look for factors like board certification, medical education, training hospital, and malpractice and disciplinary history. A certification would tell you if a surgeon has the necessary training and skills to provide orthopedic care, while the history of malpractice claims or lack thereof would indicate whether or not they treat their patients well.
Check availability and cost.
There are times where doctors have a waiting list for appointments, making it hard to schedule for a consultation. However, if you have an urgent condition, they would be more willing to see you. It’s best to talk to a nurse or front office staff to check for a doctor’s availability.
Additionally, you should also figure out beforehand whether your insurance will be able to cover the cost of the surgery, or if the orthopedic surgeon you’re thinking of getting treatment from is on the insurer’s provider list. The best way to find out is by calling your insurance company directly or doing a provider search on their website.
Assess communication style.
There may be doctors that are difficult to work with because they’re not good at communication. You would be doing yourself a favor if you only seek treatment from a doctor that you are comfortable talking to and supplies you with the information you need. When you consult with them, you can gauge whether or not they’re easy to communicate with by asking a question and checking how they would respond. If they welcome your queries and answers them in a way that you understand, then it’s a sign that they’re reliable. It would serve you best to find an orthopedic surgeon that shows genuine interest in you and consider your treatment preferences.
Conclusion
The vetting process for finding a worthy orthopedic surgeon can be lengthy, but you deserve the best care! Should you need a hand and wrist surgeon experienced in hand and wrist care in Jacksonville, Florida, get in touch with us to make an appointment now!
