Medical Surgeon - Track Record?

[janelincs]

Hi, I have recently had the first consultation with a specialist. I was a bit disappointed with their manner and response's to questions. I put it down to them probably being short of time and the number of patients they are required to see. By coincidence, a friend has been referred to the same surgeon and she has reported a similar negative experience. I understand you are able to look at the past statistical record of surgeon's career performance. I have no idea how to do it. Could anybody suggest how? Thank you

I cant see what the benefit would be. What would you gain from that. He might be a fantastic surgeon just doesn't have a great bedside manner.

You'd need to find a similar surgeon to do a real comparison.

Yeah there’s no such record…and i also agree with @Kinneddar- it’s hard to assess a surgeons skill in theatre with their bedside manner (doi I work in theatres)

How do you/ would you measure their 'performance' ? What stats do you want?

There are 'review my Dr' sites but they are pretty crap tbh.
If the Dr also works with BUPA, they publish op counts so you can see how many, say, hip replacements a surgeon has done. Doesn't tell you anything about the outcomes or quality of their skills. And the better the Dr, the more likely they are to handle the most complex cases and also therefore have more complications, not a reflection on their skills.

I think you need to think carefully about the exact question you are asking.

How would you be able to interpret those results even if you got them. He might be the best surgeon around so does all the most complex operations or the only surgeon around who deals with elderly people where you might expect poorer outcomes.

ask them. Surgeon's keep records of their outcomes.

Ask them. I didn't ask my gynae last year and I've had no end of issues.

I've since moved consultant and they have told me their success rates for their ops. Actual empirical evidence.

This.

You're not unreasonable to want to find out and there can be some benefit in doing so, however the most skilled surgeons will - and do - take more complex cases which will naturally result in higher mortality rates. This isn't an indication of their performance, but the figures will skew how the results are seen - it's why you often find the big trauma centres & teaching hospitals have apparently 'worse' statistics than others.

I greatly appreciate people taking the time to reply to my question. I must admit, I am quite confused, as the best way to proceed with this. If you take into account the variables of the type patients they operate on, then maybe any data available could lead me in the wrong direction anyway ? Confusing !

My health problem is a chronic long term issue, that may be better managed under supervision (for some years) rather than risk an operation. I was trying to understand the issues and options from a specialist in the field, but each of my question was either deflected, or answered flippantly with a form of sarcasm. My friend noted similar responses.

I sense I will be discharged after my second appointment, being none the wiser. My family Doctor will be reluctant to refer me again for some years.

Should I try and jump ship now midway, and hope to see someone potentially better - or stick with him? That is my dilemma !

I would speak to PALS in the first instance and ask whether you can see someone else.

You can ask the question directly on email to his secretary.

What is your success rate for this procedure? At 5 yrs. At 10yrs?

Email like:

Sorry I meant to ask in the appt last week, please can I have some data on your expectations of sucess rate?

They won't be sarcastic on the email. Or find out where they work privately and call the hospital they work from.

We work with a lot of surgeons and most of them are not the most “customer friendly” so to speak. They are often older and less tolerant as are many medical professionals in high up or niche roles however look at the quality of their work. Some people are just not “people” people if that makes sense

Google their name.
I did with the Urogynocologist they gave me an appointment with.
Very negative reviews on everything.. so l cancelled the appointment..asked my GP to refer me to another one.