Why It Pays to See the Best

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of seeking specialized medical care from top experts for serious health conditions.

Abstract

The article underscores the value of consulting with medical specialists who have extensive experience in treating specific conditions. The author's father chose a local doctor for cataract surgery but went to Johns Hopkins for a more complex issue involving a detached retina. Similarly, the author opted for treatment at the Mayo Clinic for uterine cancer, despite the popularity of laparoscopic hysterectomies at the time. The Mayo Clinic's decision to use the classic surgical method was later validated when lawsuits emerged related to the spread of cancer from laparoscopic procedures. The article advises that for critical health matters, it's crucial to go to the best medical professionals available.

Opinions

The author's father believes in seeking out the most experienced doctors for serious medical conditions, preferring those who handle a high volume of specific cases.
The author followed her father's advice and chose the Mayo Clinic for her uterine cancer treatment, suggesting a belief in the clinic's expertise and superior care.
The article suggests that the Mayo Clinic's decision to avoid the then-popular laparoscopic hysterectomy for uterine cancer was a wise choice, as evidenced by subsequent legal actions against the procedure.
There is an implied opinion that the number of procedures a doctor performs is a significant factor in determining their expertise and the likelihood of a successful outcome.

You only have one body

My dad believes if something’s seriously wrong with you, you see the best person for that condition. You don’t see someone who performs 200 procedures a year. You see the doctor who does 200 a month.

He had cataract replacement surgery on one eye done locally. For the eye that had suffered a detached retina, he went to Johns Hopkins. If something goes wrong, you want someone who has handled it many times before.

When I was diagnosed twenty years ago with uterine cancer, I went to the Mayo Clinic. At the time, laparoscopic hysterectomies were the rage, but they said no. The classic method isolates the cancer cells.

Recent lawsuits on behalf of women who had cancer throughout their abdomens from laparoscopic hysterectomies proved their wisdom.

Go see the best.