How to find a consultant at the top of their field?

[wendyg]

A work colleague has been suffering from chronic neck and shoulder pain for over a year. She has had all sorts of investigations without much progress being made, and has most recently seen a neurosurgeon who has simply suggested a neck brace, compression of the cervical vertebrae has been suggested. She feels that the source of the problem still hasn't been found, and wants a second opinion. She says the neurosurgeon she has seen was very nice but possibly not fully up to date, as approaching retirement age. (Yes, we know that's a little ageist - he undoubtably has a wealth of experience!)

What she would like to do is find someone at the forefront of this field for a second opinion, just to make sure that all possibilities have been explored, as it does and will in the future have an impact on her work. She is happy to travel, and to pay privately for a consultation, but just doesn't know how to find the right person.

Any advice welcome (and personal recommendations if you have them!)

[968]

wendyg said:

A work colleague has been suffering from chronic neck and shoulder pain for over a year. She has had all sorts of investigations without much progress being made, and has most recently seen a neurosurgeon who has simply suggested a neck brace, compression of the cervical vertebrae has been suggested. She feels that the source of the problem still hasn't been found, and wants a second opinion. She says the neurosurgeon she has seen was very nice but possibly not fully up to date, as approaching retirement age. (Yes, we know that's a little ageist - he undoubtably has a wealth of experience!)

What she would like to do is find someone at the forefront of this field for a second opinion, just to make sure that all possibilities have been explored, as it does and will in the future have an impact on her work. She is happy to travel, and to pay privately for a consultation, but just doesn't know how to find the right person.

Any advice welcome (and personal recommendations if you have them!)

You can look on the Dr Foster website for info about private consultants, however, the first guy is likely to be right. If she want's it confirmed then go and see someone.

[wendyg]

Thanks 968, yes she's quite prepared for a second opinion to agree with the first, but time and medicine move on, and she'd just like to hear from someone who is at the cutting edge of current knowledge.

[968]

wendyg said:

Thanks 968, yes she's quite prepared for a second opinion to agree with the first, but time and medicine move on, and she'd just like to hear from someone who is at the cutting edge of current knowledge.

The fact the guy is old doesn't mean that he's not current. Indeed his CPD should ensure that he is upto date.

[wendyg]

Of course, but this is one of the limitations of info in medicine. We expect any doctor we see in any field to have a decent, adequate and competent knowledge.

But equally we know that there will be competent doctors, good doctors and great doctors. We have no frame of reference to assess whether the doctor we have just seen is adequately competent, or 'worshipped by their peers' brilliant.

[Bone Rat]

Hi, unless there is a lesion which is good surgical target and is likely to explain the symptoms most surgeons will be reluctant to operate. The neck in particular is crammed with vital structures and needs to retain flexibility more than the lower spine. Sometimes the correct thing to do can be very little. Possible to make a bad situation worse.

A thing to remember is that price & address are not the best indicators of skill. Look at where the consultant has their NHS appointment, is it a centre of excellence etc.

[Mrs Pitstop]

Where are you based Wendy? That might help us give you a better idea of where to look. Feel free to PM me if you'd rather not post it up on here.

[wendyg]

Bone Rat said:

A thing to remember is that price & address are not the best indicators of skill. Look at where the consultant has their NHS appointment, is it a centre of excellence etc.

Yeah we thought about looking first at eg teaching hospitals and also published research, but that's still not a very helpful route. In an ideal world you would know someone in a related field who could say "For this sort of problem, you want to see Dr X - s/he's the best"

In the North-East, but not restricted to this area.

[The_Doc]

wendyg said:

Yeah we thought about looking first at eg teaching hospitals and also published research, but that's still not a very helpful route. In an ideal world you would know someone in a related field who could say "For this sort of problem, you want to see Dr X - s/he's the best"

In the North-East, but not restricted to this area.

Gerry Towns in Leeds

I'd let him cut open my neck.

[Bone Rat]

Sorry, no idea of North of England, could have had a punt at some names in Wales.