New Doc appt tomorrow w/ doc who has very bad reviews?

I know that reviews aren't everything. But gosh, they do say something. Don't they?

Everyone is different, I get that.

This surgeon has been doing surgery for 30 years, and every review rates him as below average. I'm starting to get a little freaked out here.

I'm still going because I need to make my own decision. I've never been in this position before.

PS: I'm going to travel an hour to see him because my own doctor referred me for a 2nd opinion.

This is all just for the purposes of gathering information, so it will be an experience regardless. But as I get things settled for this very long trip tomorrow, I'm getting wigged out.









M.

That's what my referring surgeon said too.

I've been in panic mode, so I called his office (my surgeon) to ask about this new doc and express my concerns. He said pretty much the same thing,...and that I have two ways to look at it. One can be that I'm scared and already convinced. The other is that I'm being referred specifically to him by a doctor I specifically trust and have experience with.

And....to mention that.

He also said I may well be surprised and not to over-value online reviews,.....make my own decision. Stuff I know in the noggin, but perhaps needed emotional reassurance.

I do feel better that he called me himself when I told his desk staff how nervous I was about this appt tomorrow.

I feel like Bill Murray,..... Baby Steps!








M.

I've been reading quite a few doctor reviews lately, as I'm looking for a new primary and possible PM. I just don't know how much weight to put on them. Many are probably written by disgruntled patients who messed up. For instance, this one lady wrote a scathing review of a first visit with a PM, saying that he 'interrogated' her, wouldn't let her answer questions he asked, made her cry, and she left with no prescription after paying quite a bit to see the PM. Well, she also mentioned in her review that, "He was mad because I had an un-prescribed medication show up in my UA - it was just something a friend gave me cause I was in so much pain!" Well DUH, I wonder why the doc was upset and wouldn't prescribe to her! LOL

Splashdancer,

My PC just moved & going thru the same process.. I cannot even try to imagine how to interpet patient reviews.. I think it's a bad idea to put up on the physicians sites anyway...like u said u never know if UR getting the whole picture. That was a typical patient response got caught w/hand in the pain pill jar..."When will they ever learn"?

I am interviewing my friends..for referrals. Even my dentist has a dr..I have been his patient for 23 yrs. so his father was my dentist while he was in school.. So I trust him.

Then the next trick is once u decide on which dr u want to interview do they take new patients? & or accept the insurance I have?..

To tell ya the truth... I miss the older docs who were active in the community knew u & UR family/ friends and really took time to take care of my medical needs.. Those days are long gone, lost to medical corporations with doc offices full of hallway doors opening & closing every 15 minutes... That's all u get any longer then make another appt.....

Good luck on UR search... I usually hold my breath that they will accept my insurance...it's always a learning curve either way.LOL

+***********+MERRIDA**********+. Yes I read on a earlier post u had THR..& this surgery is not for it...we can compare rehab notes for sure???it would be a great chat...
It sounds like u have gained confidence in the new one...
I think all the hesitation & concern is valid & normal.. This is not our first Rodeo!...We know the ropes...ah! Youth the not knowing is sometimes less stressful. Hope u r not in pain..
Good luck...

Post Edited (Chotti) : 6/24/2014 3:44:15 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Merrida I wish you a good appointment with the new doctor, and also a safe trip.

love and hugs
Loretta

I hope your appointment goes well for you today.

I have a Dr now that had fantastic reviews online,
Plus a lot of people I know see him.
It's a very small town. Word of mouth travels fast here
I really thought from what I had read that I had nothing to
Worry about, well when I went to see him he was a little gruff
To say the least.
I thought wow why all the great reviews?
After my initial visit he was fine after that.

He just kinda sizes people up in the beginning.

So you never really can tell, reviews or not.

Looking forward to hearing how it went.