Why professional certifications may be important

As a patient, you may not be as concerned with certifications as a physician might be; but perhaps you should. Indeed, doctors may believe that certifications are an important measure for keeping abreast of the latest recommendations and best practices for a particular field. When doctors are into continuing education, the patient stands to benefit as well.

Take Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer. He went down with an injury during last Sunday’s game. It was discovered that he tore his ACL, unfortunately on a play where crumpled to the field untouched. Palmer is likely to trust his surgery and subsequent rehab to someone who is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and/or the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM).

Certification by these groups inherently means that they are up to date on the latest techniques for surgery and post-operative care. Doctors who continue to hone their craft by obtaining these certifications are less likely to fail to use reasonable care during a procedure or during the rehab period. For instance, these physicians can advise on the best times after a catastrophic injury has occurred to have surgery. So while you may not have a professional football career to earn a living, medical negligence can occur regardless of your income.

So the next time you are advised that surgery is necessary to repair an ailment, it would be prudent to find a physician that holds these types of certifications. If you have questions about malpractice claims against doctors who hold certifications, an experienced attorney can advise you.