Cardilogist-to-surgeon

[aric_taylor2000]

I was wondering, what happens when you have a heart condition that requires surgury. Will your family doc send you to a cardiologist who will send you to a surgeon, or will the family doc send you straight to the surgeon?

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[ckent]

All cardiothoracic surgeons receive their patients from cardiologists. Actually, one of my attendings (urologist) was telling people not to go into CT surgery because of this. He was saying how most of the cardiologists in Maryland are all part of one big group, and they have essentially hired CT surgeons to be their surgeons (ie CT surgeons work for the cardiologists). The CT surgeons don't have very much say in it, since they can't get any patients without a cardiology referral.

 

[aric_taylor2000]

sounds competitive, but im in Canada, so things may be different up here on the cold,lol. I guess thats why some stay employed by hospitals, so they don;t have to worry about all the referals

 

[maxheadroom]

Most patients see a cardiologist first because they need an echo, cardiac cath, and the like to give the CT surgeon good data on what they're supposed to fix. And anyway, no FP is going to definitively diagnose most heart defects and send a patient straight to CT surgery. The evaluation & diagnosis is the job of the cardiologist.

 

[Eidolon6]

Most referals for cardiac disease necessitating surgery go through a cardiologist, however a number of procedures (noncardiac thoracic may be referred directly. CT surgeons are highly dependent on their cardiologist referral base and tend to appreciate the business, understanding their role in patient care. A CT surgeon with a high complication rate (CABG mortality still runs about 1%) may find himself losing referrals....word gets around. I find it humorous to watch the rather cantankerous fellows become "very agreeable" when they enter private practice.

 

[aric_taylor2000]

another ques.

For the surgeons with their own practice, and who have rented OR space, do they have to hire their own nurses,etc to help in the OR or does the hospital supply those with the OR space.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Originally posted by aric_taylor2000
another ques.

For the surgeons with their own practice, and who have rented OR space, do they have to hire their own nurses,etc to help in the OR or does the hospital supply those with the OR space.

You don't "rent" OR space. You are awarded admitting/operating privileges at a hospital or surgi-center and the hospital or center will provide OR staff for you for your OR block time (should you have surgeries scheduled). If you wish to bring your own nurse or PA to assist in the surgeries, they must also be "cleared" by the Medical Affairs Office at the participating facility.

Now for those doing minor procedures in their offices (ie, not in a hospital or surgicenter) then you WOULD be responsible for hiring a nurse to assist you.

 

[aric_taylor2000]

sounds good

 

[aric_taylor2000]

do cardiac surgeons even see the patients before operating day, or do they review all the tests with the patients from the cardiologist?