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Hi, Everyone! I moved to NH last year and find I need an opthalmologist. Dr. George Shaker, Jr., was recommended to me and I wonder if anyone has had any experience with him? He is associated with Bellows, Goodman, Shaker & Siegal, Medical Eye Center PC.
I will probably be having eye surgery soon.
Thanks!
Hi, Everyone! I moved to NH last year and find I need an opthalmologist. Dr. George Shaker, Jr., was recommended to me and I wonder if anyone has had any experience with him? He is associated with Bellows, Goodman, Shaker & Siegal, Medical Eye Center PC.
I will probably be having eye surgery soon.
Thanks!
The only question I have is, what are the qualifications and expertise of the person making the recommendation to a medical professional?
The scariest thing I ever heard was someone recommending a physician because he thought he had 'good bedside manner'.
This is where it pays to have someone on the inside.
That's precisely why doing one's homework is essential! Good question, always!
In this case, the recommendation is from the optician I have been seeing for several months. I do like to do my research, though, because I have had recommendations from Drs in the past that did not work out.
The only question I have is, what are the qualifications and expertise of the person making the recommendation to a medical professional?
The scariest thing I ever heard was someone recommending a physician because he thought he had 'good bedside manner'.
This is where it pays to have someone on the inside.
It's called 'word of mouth' advertising and is perfectly common. Do you think it is better to just go through the phone book to see who has a nice name than to get a referral from someone who has at least been a patient? Always, YMMV. But that is why the OP is doing a second check. And just because a friend/aquaintance recommends someone, doesn't mean after a first visit or two (or even a year or so) that you can't change to someone else.
It's called 'word of mouth' advertising and is perfectly common. Do you think it is better to just go through the phone book to see who has a nice name than to get a referral from someone who has at least been a patient? Always, YMMV. But that is why the OP is doing a second check. And just because a friend/aquaintance recommends someone, doesn't mean after a first visit or two (or even a year or so) that you can't change to someone else.
Quote:"It's called 'word of mouth' advertising and is perfectly common."
Just because it is common does not mean it is any good. Going to McDonalds is perfectly common too, but I wouldn't feed the food to my dog.
Quote:"Do you think it is better to just go through the phone book to see who has a nice name than to get a referral from someone who has at least been a patient?"
I think it is best to go to an impartial third party, well versed in the field.
I had that luxury, as my SO has been CNO of numerous medical facilities in the area, and knows ALL the docs. She would override my PCP occasionally in terms of the choices he made for the specialists I needed to see. (One thing about some doc practices, is that they work in a group, and all refer to each other. It is money over potential quality).
Quote:"And just because a friend/aquaintance recommends someone, doesn't mean after a first visit or two (or even a year or so) that you can't change to someone else."
Ok, let's go to the local casino, and, based on your experience, should I bet on red or black? I know I can change later, but that is on the next bet.
Numerous docs here have had their licenses revoked, yet there was a huge uprising in the local papers by patients saying 'how good they were'. Obviously the medical board and the patients disagree.
course it's a crap shoot! life's an adventure - there's no guarantees, and anyone who tries to tell you there is, is selling something.
Quote:
I had that luxury, as my SO has been CNO of numerous medical facilities in the area, and knows ALL the docs.
good for you! not that there's any bias within the medical field.... however, someone who moves to the area, or who has never needed such services isn't as lucky as you - and why should you expect everyone to be? As you said, you had that luxury. some of us just have to make do the best we can. asking a neighbor or friend for word of mouth (at least they have some experience. and frankly I don't give a ding dang if someone is the best in their field and writes for the JNEM, if their bedside manor stinks and sets my teeth on edge!), or asks on a forum for people who live in that area if anyone has experience. patient experience can be just as valuable as a peer's opinion. For example, DH had a perfectly qualified GI perform a colonoscopy last Aug. Unfortunately he got to break the news to us that DH has stage for rectal cancer. He did refer us to fabulous oncologist & surgeon (both with ties to NH!!!) but his demeanor was such that we will not go back to him. I don't care how good he is, he's still a bit of a jerk! so frankly, my experience as a patient (well, patient's wife) is just as valuable a referencing tool as anyone else's. True, someone else might get along with him fine. good for them. We'll look for someone else next year.
(BTW: while it is stage 4, he's doing amazingly well! although we will be looking for a good oncologist in the Monadnock region in Jan '13))
Personally, I prefer a doc with a good bedside manner for routine visits and simple things. For trickier stuff, I want whoever is the best at the procedure I need done. Doesn't matter to me if they have any personality or not.
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however, someone who moves to the area, or who has never needed such services isn't as lucky as you - and why should you expect everyone to be? As you said, you had that luxury. some of us just have to make do the best we can. asking a neighbor or friend for word of mouth (at least they have some experience. and frankly I don't give a ding dang if someone is the best in their field and writes for the JNEM, if their bedside manor stinks and sets my teeth on edge!), or asks on a forum for people who live in that area if anyone has experience. patient experience can be just as valuable as a peer's opinion. For example, DH had a perfectly qualified GI perform a colonoscopy last Aug. Unfortunately he got to break the news to us that DH has stage for rectal cancer. He did refer us to fabulous oncologist & surgeon (both with ties to NH!!!) but his demeanor was such that we will not go back to him. I don't care how good he is, he's still a bit of a jerk! so frankly, my experience as a patient (well, patient's wife) is just as valuable a referencing tool as anyone else's. True, someone else might get along with him fine. good for them. We'll look for someone else next year.
