When you make the decision to see an Orthopaedic surgeon, you can rest assured that you will be able to get your musculoskeletal concerns thoroughly assessed and treated. However, it is particularly important that you find the best orthopaedic doctor for your condition. In most cases of hand and wrist pain, your GP is going to recommend an orthopaedic hand specialist.
But it can be challenging to find the best orthopaedic hand surgeon for your specific treatment needs. Here’s a look at some tips that will help you in making the right choice:
- Getting references
One of the first things to check when considering which hand surgeon to see is to ask for references from your primary care doctor. You can also ask for references from family, friends, and other healthcare professionals if they have previously seen that doctor. Once you find a few contacts, you should perform some research yourself on their background and training. Look for the surgeon’s credentials and experience, and compare the information for the surgeons you have shortlisted.
To further narrow down the list, call each doctor and schedule an appointment for a consultation. Meet them in person and interview each of the orthopaedic or plastic hand surgeons. Make sure to narrow down the list to 2-3 doctors as it will be difficult to book an appointment with more than that, and meet each to make the final decision of who is right for you.
- Researching the credentials
Accreditation with the Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS) can be an essential factor when choosing an orthopaedic or plastic hand surgeon. The certification reflects that the doctor has the necessary skills, training, and experience for offering hand surgery care. Some hand surgeons now have completed ongoing training in hand and wrist surgery and have been recognised by the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) and the Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS) with the title of PFET (Post Fellowship Education and Training) in Hand and Wrist surgery.
It would be best if you also tried to confirm that the orthopaedic or plastic hand surgeon has no malpractice history. You can find such information from the AHPRA website, and look for the surgeon’s medical school, certifications, training hospital, malpractices, disciplinary history.
- Consider the experience of the orthopaedic or plastic surgeon
When you consult any doctor for treatment, their experience is what matters most, which applies to orthopaedic or plastic hand specialists. Experience usually leads to better results. It may help if you ask how many patients with your condition have been treated by your surgeon in the past. More than the experience, relevant experience matters the most! Asking them about the relevant expertise for your condition helps to bring to light any complications that the doctor has encountered previously with your condition, and how vulnerable you are to these issues.
- Research on the quality of hospital
Besides the doctor’s qualifications and experience, the hospital’s quality is also essential. You should take into consideration the services offered and staff at the hospital that your surgeon operates at. The quality of the hospital matters as patients experience fewer concerns in good hospitals and a better overall experience.
You should also take into consideration the location of the hospital. After the orthopaedic or plastic hand procedure, follow-ups and rehabilitation / hand therapy visits would require you to travel, and ideally this would be at a convenient location for you.
- Communication style
It is ideal if you can have an open and frank communication style with your orthopaedic hand surgeon. Choose a specialist who supports your need for information and with whom you are comfortable talking. When you meet the orthopaedic or plastic hand surgeon for the first time, ask them a question and try to observe how they respond. Do they welcome your question? Do they answer it patiently in a way that you understand? Did you feel that they were rushing, or did you feel engaged?
Try to gauge if the orthopaedic or plastic surgeon is interested in getting to know your symptoms and medical history. They should be able to listen to your concerns and respond positively, along with respecting your decision-making.
- Read reviews of the patients
When you get to know what others have to say about the doctor, it offers an insight into how the doctors practice medicines and how they behave with their patients. Patients provide their reviews on waiting times, appointments, clinic environment, staff behaviour, etc on online reviews sites and google reviews.
You will get an insight into how much other patients have trusted the doctor, how much time they spend with their patients, and how well they answer the patients’ questions. You will also get an idea if other patients were happy with their outcome. Having a look at the reviews will help in shortlisting good surgeons.
- Insurance cover
Insurance coverage is a crucial aspect. If you wish to benefit from the insurance and pay the least from your pocket, you need to choose an orthopaedic hand surgeon who supports your private health insurance plan. However, you should still consider the surgeon’s experience, credentials, outcomes, and hospital quality when choosing an orthopaedic or plastic hand surgeon.
Considering the information above, you can find the best orthopaedic hand specialist to treat your underlying issue. Some medical conditions can’t be treated with medicines or physical therapy and may not require surgery. When you choose a good surgeon, you can rest assured about the outcome of the surgery and happily resume your routine with your treated hand. A good hand surgeon will know when not to operate, and will work closely (ideally in the same institution) with excellent hand therapists.
Hi, I am Aria. I am a passionate blogger. Blogging is my profession. I love to write articles on several topics. Keep up the good work and Have a great day!
