As a cancer patient, you want to make sure you are receiving the best treatment possible. An important part of this involves making sure that your doctor is the right fit for you. Research shows that patients who receive treatment from more experienced doctors have better outcomes. We compiled a list of 5 questions you can ask a new doctor to determine if their level of experience suits your needs.
Are you board certified? If yes, in what area?
To practice medicine, doctors must have a state medical license. Board certification is a higher standard. When a physician is board certified, they are committed to achieving a level of assessment and training that goes above and beyond their peers. If they are certified in an area relevant to you as a cancer patient, they are more likely to provide better treatment and care.
How many patients like me have you treated?
A doctor who has treated many patients with a diagnosis like your own will likely have a tried and true treatment plan. Their experience treating similar patients will play an important part in attaining a better outcome.
How many procedures like mine have you done?
Surgeons who have extensive experience performing the same procedure are more likely to have successful outcomes and less likely to have complications. For common procedures, it’s best to find a surgeon who has performed dozens in the past year. For rare procedures, lower volume is acceptable.
Does your practice focus on this kind of treatment?
Recently, medical centers providing specialized healthcare have become more common. These practices often have teams of the best and brightest medical specialists in a given field, focusing on the same diseases and treatment plans. If your doctor recommends a particular treatment plan, you’ll want to make sure it’s a focus of their practice.
How many of your patients have had complications?
Complication rates generally range from 2–4 % for all procedures. However, some highly active surgeons don’t have a single complication over the course of several years, whereas others have complication rates that are double or triple the national average. You will want to make sure your doctor’s complication rates are as low as possible.
Sources
NCCN // H&N Oral Cancer Packet (p. 42)
Certification Matters // What is the Difference Between a Licensed Doctor and a Board-Certified Doctor
verywell Health // How to Evaluate a Surgeon’s Experience With a Procedure
AARP // How to Pick the Right Surgeon
ProPublica // Making the Cut: Why Choosing the Right Surgeon Matters Even More Than You Know
