By now, you probably already know not all healthcare providers are capable of giving high quality care. It is up to you to decide on who to trust with your care. By checking the physician’s background, making a decision becomes easier, as you can compare and contrast them with other providers.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain or have a shoulder injury, what you need is an orthopedic surgeon who can examine your shoulder and provide the appropriate treatment plan. Below, we give you some useful tips for choosing the right shoulder surgeon for your needs.
Check Their Education Background
A lot of patients don’t take the time to check a doctor’s educational background, but this is important. Choosing a hand surgeon who has studied in a top school can provide assurance of their high level of education and training, as these institutions often have renowned faculty members, access to cutting-edge research, and advanced resources, which can contribute to a surgeon’s expertise.
Shoulder surgeons trained in top schools have been exposed to the latest surgical techniques and advancements in hand surgery, allowing them to provide cutting-edge treatments to their patients.
Check Whether the Doctor Is Recognized for Excellence
One way to check this is through receipt of professional awards and honors. Professional awards are often bestowed upon physicians who have demonstrated exceptional skills, knowledge, and contributions to their field. Such accolades indicate that the doctor has been recognized by their peers and professional organizations for their excellence in shoulder surgery.
Make Sure The Doctor is Board-Certified
For high quality shoulder treatments, choose a board-certified hand surgeon. Choosing a board-certified hand surgeon offers several advantages. Board certification indicates that the surgeon has completed specialized training in shoulder surgery and has met rigorous standards set by the certifying board.
To verify a surgeon’s board certification, you can check the official website of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS), which provides a searchable directory of board-certified surgeons.
Choose a Fellowship Trained Hand Surgeon
Opting for a fellowship-trained hand surgeon offers several advantages. These surgeons have completed additional specialized training beyond their residency in the field of hand surgery.
Fellowship training provides in-depth knowledge, advanced technical skills, and exposure to a wide range of complex hand and upper extremity conditions. With this focused training, fellowship-trained hand surgeons possess expertise in diagnosing and treating intricate hand conditions, including traumatic injuries, nerve disorders, congenital abnormalities, and degenerative diseases.
To verify a surgeon’s fellowship training, individuals can inquire directly with the surgeon’s office or consult the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH).
Accepts Your Insurance
Lastly, make sure the doctor accepts your insurance. This helps ensure that you have access to the medical services you need without incurring excessive out-of-pocket expenses. Review your insurance plan’s provider directory or contact your insurance company directly to confirm whether a specific hand surgeon is in-network and covered by your insurance plan.
Top Hand and Shoulder Surgeon in Baltimore, MD
Our hand and shoulder surgeons at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder went to top institutions, are recognized in their field, and are board-certified and fellowship trained.
We have orthopedic surgeons and plastic surgeons on our team, which means we can treat the full spectrum of upper extremity conditions, including traumatic injuries. We perform our surgeries in Lutherville SurgiCenter, an ambulatory surgical center conveniently located right across the hall from our office.
For any questions and to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, call our office today at (410) 296-6232 or use our online request form. Our friendly staff is more than happy to provide you with assistance in your needs.
