Choosing a Surgeon

The more a patient knows, the better they are able to face the challenges and changes of any surgical procedure.

Good communication is the cornerstone of the physician-patient relationship. Open, honest communication builds trust and promotes healing. It favorably impacts patient behavior, health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Patients are more satisfied when they are well informed about treatment options, the course of care, expected outcomes and possible complications.

Choosing a surgeon for yourself or a loved one is a very important decision.

To ensure that you are able to receive the highest quality health care, here are some guidelines that you should consider when selecting a physician:

• What hospital(s) is the physician affiliated with?
• Is the physician board certified?
• What is the reputation of the medical school and residency programs he/she completed?
• How many years of experience does he/she have?
• Has he/she been recognized by peers?

The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (TSMBE) is a system that allows you to view information about physicians licensed by the State of Texas. Within the information posted, the TSBME obtains verification of information such as identity and age, medical school education, examination scores, professional training and ability and professional character. Verification procedures used by the TSBME meet or exceed procedures used by JCAHO, URAC, and NCQA.

In addition to physician information, the TSBME also offers answers to general consumer questions.

Board certification

You should seek out a physician who has the experience and training to provide the care you need. One measure of training and experience is board certification. By being board certified, you can be assured that the physician has graduated from an accredited medical school and has completed at least five years of additional training as a resident surgeon. This includes a minimum five year residency in an accredited general surgery program. To become certified, the physician then must successfully complete comprehensive written and oral exams.