Getting a Referral to See an Orthopaedic Surgeon in Singapore
Referring to the demands of a global marketplace, the need for getting a referral to see an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore is high on the agenda of many people. Referrals to medical practitioners overseas can come in the form of a friend’s recommendation, colleague’s referral or a professional’s word of mouth. Some people prefer to get a reference from their doctor first. This method may work if the doctor in question is known to be highly reputed and has a good rapport with the patient. There is also the option of seeking a referral from a primary care physician in the area. However, primary care physicians usually have nothing to do with orthopedic surgeries, so referrals to specialists are a better option.
If you know of a friend or colleague who is planning to go to Singapore to undergo orthopaedic surgery, ask him or her to get a referral from their family doctor. Friends and colleagues in other countries may refer surgeons that they trust. The same approach applies when one receives a referral from a Singapore hospital or medical care unit. Getting a referral from a primary care physician will ensure that the doctor in question has some background knowledge of the orthopedic surgeon one is planning to see in Singapore. It also ensures that the doctor has in mind that the patient has undergone at least one similar procedure done overseas before.
After getting a referral, one should contact the surgeon to book an appointment. Most orthopaedic surgeons in Singapore are happy to schedule a first appointment free of charge. However, some might charge a small amount for a one-to-one consultation. Another option is to contact the hospital where the surgeon works and arrange for a consultation appointment. Though this process might take a bit longer, it guarantees a safe trip abroad.
When scheduling a session with the surgeon, one should discuss all possible treatments available. This includes medications, surgical techniques, as well as the recovery time. Before signing up for surgery, one should be absolutely sure about all details such as the exact operation, the number of sessions required, and any associated risks. Moreover, one should not hesitate to ask the surgeon any questions regarding his practice.
As in the case of any other surgical procedures, one should prepare adequately before going in for surgery. In this case, it will be useful to keep a list of all medications one is currently taking, as well as the ones which may be discontinued due to side effects. One should inform the surgeon of all allergies, physical ailments and illnesses. Moreover, sutures or bandages should be worn properly prior to the surgery. Before and after surgery, one should ensure that sutures or bandages are removed carefully so as not to expose the incision to bacteria.
The surgeon will probably offer you a list of doctors to contact for follow-up care once you have been discharged from the hospital. If your condition did not improve in a period of time, you should get in touch with your surgeon’s as soon as possible. The surgeon will give you a list of hospitals with specialists who specialize in orthopedics in Singapore. Getting a referral to see an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore is therefore essential in order to get immediate treatment for any complications associated with your surgery.
However, before getting a referral to see an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore, it is important to ensure that the surgeon you are considering operates on patients who are in good health. This is because some surgeons do not specialize in orthopedics and hence are unable to treat conditions that require specialized treatment for which there is not a good pool of orthopedic professionals in Singapore. When looking for an orthopedic surgeon in Singapore, it is therefore important to ensure that you get one who has performed similar surgeries on patients who are in good health.
Orthopedic surgeons in Singapore work closely with surgeons from other parts of the world, so it is not a difficult task to get a referral to one of these specialists if you are unable to find one within your area. Just make sure that you get your reference from someone who has actually undergone the surgery and not just someone who is talking about their experience. You can call up the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery or the American Orthopedic Society and ask for your reference number. Once you have this reference number, you can contact the surgeon and arrange for a meeting or even better an initial consultation.