Finding a Credible ENT

Choosing to undergo surgery is a major decision that should only be made after thoughtful consideration. However, it can be challenging to know how to find a doctor with the right credentials. Parsing the confusing acronyms, finding a doctor with relevant experience and even knowing which questions to ask can all be points of confusion. To help you make the best decision for your health, we’ve put together this guide of the five most important questions you need to ask before choosing surgery.

The ENT Doctor “Core Credential” Checklist:

1. Are you board-certified in Otolaryngology?

Seeking out certified otolaryngologists (more commonly known as ENTs) will ensure you receive treatment that is performed by a doctor who is, according to the American Board of Medical Specialties: skilled and knowledgeable, meets a higher standard and is an expert in their specialty. Board certification requires ENTs to pass rigorous national examinations and each doctor’s certification can be checked for free at the ABMS website. Not all ENTs are board-certified, so choosing a doctor that is will give you peace of mind that you are getting the best care possible. Renew ENT is proud to have three board-certified otolaryngologists on staff to provide the highest quality care possible to all of our patients.

2. Do you have a sub-specialty fellowship for my specific condition?

Doctors that have gone through a sub-specialty fellowship have undergone a year or two of additional study in one specific area. While not necessarily required for excellent care, this extra training can be crucial for ensuring expert-level treatment for patients that have complicated or chronic conditions. For instance, if you have a complex sinus or voice issue, the additional knowledge and training from an ENT with a sub-speciality in either of those areas is key for getting the care you need.

There is also a designation for fellows that meet the educational and practice requirements for the American College of Surgeons — FACS. You can have confidence in surgeons with this designation, which indicates their skills and ethics have been reviewed and approved by their peers.

3. How many of these specific procedures have you performed in the last year?

Experience and expertise are incredibly important for your peace of mind and the confidence you can have in your doctor. Those that perform higher volumes of surgeries are not only more familiar with the process, but it proves their record of success. For example, Renew ENT otolaryngologists combine to perform thousands of surgical procedures every year and our team sees more than 100 patients on a daily basis. This allows us to not only provide the excellent care our patients require, but it also means we know how to make sure each person gets the attention, reassurance and knowledge they need to feel comfortable and confident in the process.

4. What is your philosophy on non-surgical alternatives?

The last thing you want is a “scalpel-happy” surgeon — even a good one. Choosing a doctor that puts medicine first rather than defaulting to always recommending surgery means that they are looking out for your holistic health and overall well-being. Surgeons that are medicine-first will follow a thoughtful and process-driven set of steps:

• Step 1: Change behavior or environmental factors
• Step 2: Manage the condition with medicine
• Step 3: Minimally invasive, in-office procedures
• Step 4: Traditional surgery

By choosing a doctor that takes this kind of cohesive, holistic approach, you can be confident that you won’t need to undergo unnecessary surgery.

5. Which hospital systems are you affiliated with?

Many people think of hospital systems in regards to insurance, but it is also important when choosing your ENT doctor. These affiliations mean the surgeon is vetted by the local medical boards for their quality of care. While not all surgeons and practices are affiliated with hospitals, there are some — like Renew ENT — that have hospital privileges while primarily using Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC). For Renew, most of our surgeries are outpatient procedures so ASCs provide the ideal mix of flexibility, cost savings and comfort while also allowing patients to recover in their own space. However, our privileges allow us to ensure seamless, high-quality care at hospitals like Abbott, St. Francis and Children’s Hospital for those surgeries that do require a hospital stay.

Making Your Best Choice Starts With Information

When deciding the best course of action for any facet of your health, it’s important to have as much information as possible. Being an informed patient gives you a head start on getting the care you deserve and helps you ask the right questions to vet your doctors before making impactful medical decisions.

At Renew ENT, we’re proud to have one of the most experienced, thoughtful and considerate surgical and care teams in all of Minnesota. Learn more about our dedication to your wellness and our team of experts or reach out to us for any other information that you need.