Our world is inundated with information thanks to the invention of the Internet. Nowadays, information regarding nearly any topic can be had with an iPhone and a couple seconds of typing. A woman might see herself in the mirror and consider the possibilities of a facelift, immediately beginning a search to find out more. The internet is a powerful tool, but can also lead people astray.
Dr. Stafford Broumand of New York City has joined this era of communication with his own practice; his website provides patients good, pointed information. Information that comes from and is reviewed by a board certified plastic surgeon. Before patients even arrive for a face-to-face consultation, his practice has them reading and reviewing all the information they’re curious about in order to set the stage for an even better procedure and result.
By Stafford R. Broumand, MD
and Adam McMillon
The Plastic Surgery Channel
A perk of our access to information and ability to communicate digitally is our ability to plan an in-person meeting before having one. This can save both time and money, and in a busy world, both are important. Dr. Broumand’s practice has embraced this philosophy by providing interested patients information before they come in. “Our consultation starts with a phone call,” explains Broumand. “Patients will call in and we’ll screen them regarding all of the medical issues that they’re concerned about. We then direct them to our website for further education.”
Avoiding misinformation on the Internet
No one can deny the usefulness of the Internet, nor the ever-growing amount of information on it. What everyone should be concerned with is the veracity of websites, an effort that Broumand does for his patients with his own. “The reality is, all of our patients are much more educated now,” says Broumand. “They have access to the internet, although it’s not always right. You cannot believe what you read on the internet, but certainly you can believe what we’re sending you!”
Through the information provided by Broumand’s office, patients receive nearly everything they need to know about the procedure they’re interested in. This can be extremely helpful in determining whether or not they think it’s a good idea.
Broumand believes patients will become less anxious with proper information than with horror stories that can be found scattered throughout a Google search: “We try to inform them by giving them a preview of what they’re coming into the office for. They’ll see pictures of our office, of our staff, of me so they have a comfort level when they come in. They’ll know the procedure that they’re coming to ask about. They’ll see post-op photographs and get ideas of what kinds of post-op care might be involved.”
“They really have a wider range of information before they even come into the door. We want them to be comfortable and informed.”