If you’ve been told to get a second opinion from a spine specialist or you just want an expert in their field to examine your back, you’re probably wondering how to go about finding the right specialist for you. Proximity, experience and online reviews are all factors we measure, but it’s impossible to tell if the specialist is a good fit for you without meeting them in person. And just because you set up a first appointment with a specialist doesn’t mean that you’re going to stay with them for the duration of your care.
During this initial consultation, there are a number of factors and characteristics you should be looking for to help determine if that specialist is the right physician for your care. Below, we share four characteristics that great spine surgeons share so you know what to look for during your first meeting.
What Makes A Great Spine Surgeon?
When it comes to finding a spine surgeon who will treat you right and do everything in their power to help you recover, here are four qualities to look for during your initial consultation.
- Focused On You – Doctors and surgeons are often very busy, but the great ones really take the time to stop, take a breath and focus on each individual patient. This means they are making eye contact, asking relevant questions and engaged in the conversation. Now, sometimes they may be asking somewhat generic questions and reading from a chart or a computerized list, but you should still be able to gauge their engagement. If you feel like you’re just another patient, consider getting a second opinion from another specialist.
- They Welcome Questions – A heavy caseload can leave some doctors looking for the door, but the best surgeons will really take the time to allow you to ask questions and provide engaging answers. A great doctor loves when a patient asks questions because it shows that they are interested in helping themselves get better. If the doctor is dismissive of your questions or provides short or unhelpful answers, find a physician who is willing to really answer the questions you have.
- Quality over Quantity – When it comes to your interaction with the spine specialist, you want to feel like you had a quality interaction. There have been times where we’ve been behind schedule and patients have been forced to wait a little bit to see our team, but that’s because we want to give every patient the time they deserve. But even when we have short interactions with a patient, we want them to be quality interactions. We want every patient to feel understood and listened to, so don’t measure your interaction with the physician in minutes. Five quality minutes are preferred over 30 minutes of surface-level care. When your appointment is over, reflect on your time with the physician and determine if you felt that you had a quality interaction with the doctor.
- You Feel Confident – When you walk out of your appointment, do you feel confident about the level of care you received and your plan going forward? If you feel uneasy or confused, it’s a sign that you should seek care from another physician. Even if your condition is difficult to treat or leaves you feeling uneasy, many people find peace of mind by developing a care plan with a physician. You should walk out of your appointment with a plan to attack your pain and knowledge of what to expect going forward. Confidence is imperative to a healthy rehab plan, and if your doctor can’t instill confidence in your care, then maybe they aren’t the right physician for you.
Dr. Sinicropi and his team are committed to showing you all these aspects and more during your care consultation. To set that up, or for answers to any questions you might have, reach out to his clinic today.