I had a new patient asked me today…what makes you an expert in (the procedure that they were interested in having)? Or for that matter, what makes one an expert in plastic surgery (or any field for that matter)? Initially, I was slightly taken back by the question because there does not seem to be a simple straight-forward answer. I could have talked about my education, training, and years of experience and, while that would have been a seemingly obvious approach to the question, it didn’t seem to be a good answer. It was too long an explanation and somehow didn’t sound reassuring. As a matter of fact, it seemed almost apologetic. What was the patient really asking? They were really searching for signs of comfort that they had come to the right place and I was the right person. What would provide that?
In my Indianapolis plastic surgery practice, I have come to learn that comfort comes from the perception of clarity and understanding. The clearer and simpler you are in communicating with patients, the greater their belief is in your expertise. The more you can make patients understand what you know in their language, the more you will be respected as an expert in their eyes. Expertise to patients is different than expertise to a doctor. Patients want reassurance that you can provide the necessary surgical skills but they are most interested in whether you are an expert in them.
You are an expert because you understand the subject at hand so well you can communicate it clearly to others who don’t. That goes a long way in providing comfort and inducing trust.
Dr Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana