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Medical Malpractice Attorneys
5 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor Before
Receiving Elective Surgery / Medical Treatment
in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Nassau County, and Suffolk County
Following through with medical care can be a nerve wracking experience, especially if the treatment is not necessary but elective. As your physician will tell you, there are risks involved with elective and any other type of surgery or treatment. And you can protect yourself from receiving substandard care by doing your homework and being smart about choosing a provider. The medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos offers the following questions to ask your doctor before undergoing treatment:
What is the purpose/benefit of this procedure?
Make sure you have a clear idea of why this procedure is being recommended and how it will benefit you in the short and long term. Compare and contrast how the outcome of the surgery will affect your daily life as opposed to not having the procedure. Find out what the success rate for this treatment is, so you have realistic expectations.
Are there alternatives to surgery?
Ask what the alternatives to treatment may be, including nonsurgical solutions, medication and other therapies, and simply foregoing surgery. Are there any clinical trials currently to research treatment alternatives for your condition? Weigh the risks and benefits of these alternatives to make an educated decision. Find out if there may be any advantages to postponing the treatment to observe changes in your condition.
What are the risks of having the operation?
Ask your doctor about the complication rate of the procedure, both under his watch and national statistics. Find out what side effects you can expect and what conditions the surgery puts you at risk for. Ask about the chance of anesthesia problems, infection, and other challenges that could arise. Also ask about recovery time, pain control, and when you can expect to be back to normal.
Where can I get a second opinion? Seeing an additional physician does not mean you do not trust your current physician – it is a smart move to ensure you are choosing the best course of treatment. It is especially a good idea with elective treatments to exclude other treatment options, make sure you feel confident about your choice, and reinforce your decision.
What is your experience/qualifications for this surgery?
It will help you to know how many of these procedures your doctor has performed. Ask about special training, board certification and other qualifications. For example, if you are having LASIK eye surgery, the surgeon should be able to tell you what percentage of his patients received 20/20 vision following LASIK.
