Things to Consider When Looking for a Neurosurgeon

Patients who are informed by the doctor that they need to see a neurosurgeon, are going to be faced with a great deal of stress. The very thought of having to go in and see a brain doctor can be cause for concern in people who are already dealing with a medical condition. The primary care doctor may have found a disease that involves the brain, spinal cord or nerves, and it may require surgery. As a result, it is going to be important for the patient to speak with a qualified surgeon as soon as possible. This increases stress, because most people do not know how to go about finding a specialist who can treat their specific area of need, and this can lead to anxiety. The last thing a patient needs is additional worry when they are dealing with health matters connected to the brain, spinal cord or nerves. Here are a few things to consider when selecting a doctor for neurological surgical needs.

Get referrals

Naturally, all doctors are connected and the primary care doctor, who recommended visiting a neurosurgeon, is going to have a referral for the patient. This is the best place to start; getting a referral list from the primary care doctor is a way to have a list of people that the primary care doctor recommends, and allows you to make a choice. It is also important to talk to other healthcare providers for recommendations. Friends and family also may be able to provide recommendations, based on the primary care doctor's list. Once there is a list, the patient and their family can work to narrow down the list, and then go about calling each neurosurgeon's office and asking for a consult appointment to meet and interview the surgeon.

Be able to communicate

A critical factor, and one that is most often overlooked when selecting a doctor is the ability of the patient to communicate effectively with their doctor. When choosing a neurosurgeon, it is important to be comfortable with the ability to talk with them and know that they are going to support the patient's information need. When first meeting with the surgeon, it is important for patients to ask questions and make note of how he or she responds. Finding a provider that is particularly interested in getting to know the patient, who will consider their treatment preferences and will respect the decision-making process, are all the important elements to consider when deciding where to go for brain, spinal cord or nerve surgical treatment.

Insurance

This is more of a practical matter than a personal preference, but it is important to know what the insurance company is going to pay for so that the patient understands what their own out-of-pocket expenses are going to be. As such, patients are always advised to pick a neurosurgeon that participates in the patient's insurance plan.

Also consider

Some other areas that patients may consider when picking a doctor are their credentials, evaluating their experience, reading about outcomes and patient satisfaction, and being comfortable with the quality of the hospital.

Schedule an appointment with us, by calling today, and meet your neurosurgeon.