I recently had outpatient surgery. Obviously as a physician my perspective on the experience is far different than the non-physician. I had my gallbladder removed laproscopically. Three small holes were introduced into my abdomen, carbon dioxide was used to lift the abdominal wall off the organs and the intact gallbladder was pulled through my belly button. Modern medicine is truly amazing. This experience lead me to ask what do patients really look for in their doctor?
The hospital accrediation process as well as the governments center for medical services have been trying to determine what exactly determines quality outcomes in patients?
There are three working models:
1) A doctor whom greets patients, checks off on a list of duties would be considered quality care.
2) Patient assesment of physicians by surveys, i.e was your doctor nice? Did they listen? did they show up on time? this is also a common metric, such that is you are polite, then you get good surveys and therefore good quality.
3) Quality is determined by outcomes? The lowest infection rate, bleeding, death, etc. Whom inputs the data may greatly bias the results. Also under this model, I would always perform operations on atheletes without diabetes nor obesity, I would have superior outcomes!!!! Just deny all the patients whom have multiple health problems and leave them to find someone to take their case and absorb the risk…
I am not a believer in either of these models as they have yet to be defined and have too many loopholes and bias. So when I look at how I processed my surgeon, it was simple, I found the busiest gallbladder surgeon and asked him his deaths and outcomes rate. He does not have the best bedside manners but who cares really? I want him focusing on my gallbladder not thinking about how he can make me feel warm and cozy. I do not need the Knute Rockne speech to do one for the gipper, I want him laser focused and not really looking to blow sunshine up my asshole.
Contrary to popular belief, it is very possible to have a very nice doctor with minimal competency. I am a little more mercenary in my approach to life, I want the best, even if it means my doctor has the personality of a dead fish. Why perhaps? as you age, you recognize the finality of your morality. I only get one shot to get it right, so why not stack the deck in my favor???
What about you???????
lancer 
Yep, his brother definitely got all the looks and personality!!
It’s all about competency for me. I too had that little gem removed and when it was time to find the surgeon I did my homework. After all If I can Google and find out what’s under Caitlyn Jenner’s dress I can also Google a Doctor. I want to know where he or she went to school, where they practice, I read the reviews from other patients. I don’t just rely on Google, you would be surprise what one can learn from staff (starting with check-in clerk to nursing staff) by asking simple questions. The response and body language speaks volume if you just look, listen and learn. I tend to favor a teaching hospital as they tend to be on the cutting edge (no pun intended). Any Doctor with less than 5 years experience is not for me thank you very much. I personally can handle the truth so I want the Doctor to be honest with me and no sugar coating. I always ask ” If I was your Mother, Wife, Daughter………”. I do my research before meeting with the Doctor as I have a vested interest and it’s ME!
I expect some politeness and don’t like to be patronize when I ask pertinent questions. Bedside manner? I am not paying my deductible for that but for skills. I don’t begrudge paying for skills. I too am very interested in deaths, outcome rates, prognosis and complications. Last but not least, I don’t care what the Doctor looks like but I like a reassuring face when I come out of surgery and the Doctor tells me “Surgery went well.”
The Eldest1