There is no set method to choosing a physician. First and foremost, you must be comfortable with the person to whom you are trusting your face or other body part. The rest of the suggestions provided should be taken together as a whole to make your decision. No one factor is more important than another in determining a competent physician. Taken as a whole, they provide a good starting point to get the best results possible.
Certifying Board
Physician Training
Teach Faculty Appointment
Articles and Presentations
Hospital Credentialing
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Even is a doctor is board certified, she may not be trained to perform the procedure that you wish to have. There are many different boards in the United States. Reputable boards require rigid oral and written examinations for inclusion. Some boards though only require payment for inclusion. Visit the American Board of Medical Specialties web site for a useful introduction to board certification. And remember, even though a doctor is not board certified by the plastic surgery board, he can still be well trained and certified to perform cosmetic surgery procedures.
Even though a doctor is board certified, she should still be trained in the surgery you are considering. Training can take the form of formal courses in medical schools or weekend refresher courses. Be ware of doctors who received training only in a weekend course as this can be dangerous for physicians who are learning procedures outside their normal scope of practice.
Teaching appointments at medical schools can be a good way to find physicians who are dedicated to staying abreast of the latest in technology and trends. Some faculty are permanent members of the medical school teaching system while others donate their time from their solo practice to teach medical students without pay.
Articles and presentations in peer reviewed journals and at national and international meetings can indicate a physician who has an interest in continuing education. For an article to be published in a peer reviewed journal, it must be approved by other medical doctors. These articles are of scientific value and indicate both a volume of patients necessary for a study and the effort of the physician to maintain timely techniques.
Ensuring that your doctor can admit you to a local hospital in case of emergency can be life saving. Admission privileges are not required for medical licensing. Unfortunately every treatment runs risks and if your physician does not have admitting privileges at a local hospital, you may be forced to be under the care of another doctor if something happens a distance from your home.
Few, if any, physicians have unique procedures. If you think that your first physician consultation was not adequate or simply did not feel comfortable, obtain a second opinion.
Choosing a doctor is a difficult decision. These criteria are but a few that should be considered and serve only as a starting point for further evaluation.