Top Doctor Awards are Suspect
 

Trying to find a great specialist in your area is a challenging endeavor. After looking at so many of the Top Doctor lists, I found this ABC news article which debunks some of the lists as either popularity contests, paid for awards and/or doctors whose background had not been researched. It's kind of disturbing.

It seems that word of mouth referrals are still the best bet IMO. If I don't have that, I check online recommendations and then call the office. If the office personnel are difficult to work with then I usually move on to the next lead because the best specialists I have met always had really great support staff. Ironically, another rule of thumb for me is that the most brilliant minds I have met tend to also be humble people. It's ironic because they have to have a healthy ego to get to a high level of achievement in their field and yet somehow they have learned to be humble and kind. I always say "I don't have to like my doctors." I'm starting to rethink that logic :sulkoff:

Top Doctor Awards: Are They Well Deserved? ABC News Investigation - ABC News

Well said indeed:

"...If the office personnel are difficult to work with then I usually move on to the next lead because the best specialists I have met always had really great support staff.

Ironically, another rule of thumb for me is that the most brilliant minds I have met tend to also be humble people. It's ironic because they have to have a healthy ego to get to a high level of achievement in their field and yet somehow they have learned to be humble and kind...."

I totally agree based on my experience.

one office person could not send me an e-mail properly, another from another clinic was gone just after i sent a check for looking at my mri. haven't received a report or reciept for ins. and med. savings acct. as far as ego and being humble, true that. one Dr. told me he could do a hybrid 3 level surgery in 1 hour. Dr. Bierstadt says on his site that he only does 2 a day and likes to take his time and pay attention to details and get it right. that tells me he is a bit like the "soup nazi" on Seinfeld. he demanded excellance of himself, and his soup. why should he expect anything less of his customers? you can go to someone else who may or may not be as good, but just remember, if you do, NO SOUP FOR YOU! ONE YEAR! ;)

Dr. Bierstedt did my surgery as such I've met the man. He is one of the modest and quiet people I've ever met, that struck me when I met him pre op. He was pretty much the same way when we met post op twice, once at the hospital, once at Medicos.
It's his choice to do two surgeries a day, I'm told he'll do a third but only if it's an emergency. He likes to take his time and get it right.
I was the first that day, a 3 level lumbar ADR. The guy after me, as I recall, had a 2 level lumbar ADR and a 3 level fusion somewhere higher up. He basically had anterior and posterior surgery the same day. Last I heard he's doing well. He doesn't post to the forum.

Clavel is much the same way IMO. Very soft spoken yet not to be interpretated as 'uncertain' in any way.

It's good to know that Dr. Bierstedt and Dr. Clavel are both such humble doctors. My research into the Surgical Outcome Forums shows the most people were very happy with both surgeons. I'll post my results later. I'm still working on the spreadsheet. It's been very enlightening.

Cynlite,

Just so you know. I've had two serious relapses since my surgery that took me off of work for months the first time and for weeks the second. I had a three level M6 ADR at 53 years old. On my first relapse I sipped on ice, started walking funny and many symptoms pre surgery came back. Dr Bierstedt requested an X-ray to confirm the discs had not slipped, they didn't. With my second relapse I can't recall any specific trigger. Dr. Bierstedt requested blood tests on me, I haven't heard back from him yet. I think there are many factors to the outcome. Cervical vs lumbar, the number of levels, the age of the patient. Notice I didn't mention doctors or discs. I also have MPS, diagnosed by my pain doc in my upper and mid back, I don't know if that factors into it. Post op I still see my pain doc and he treats it, I also use meds for it and massage therapy.

I agree with all of you. Dr. Pettine has been my rock and is always there whenever I have a question, or concern. I have a great relationship with all of his staff and the surgeon's in his practice. They have all given me my life back and for that I am filled with gratitude.

really?
 

I have always wondered about this. Who and how this is rated; by peers or what have you. Very interesting. Thanks Cynlite.