Has anyone gone to a research/university hospital for treatment/surgery?

[Tap]

I have a complicated back issue and the first neurosurgeon I saw said it may not be operable. He specializes in lower backs, in a very reputable surgery group. He also took my case to committee to discus it with fellow physicians. They agree my problem is fixable, but I have an underlying nerve issue that adds a major complication. I really liked the neurosurgeon, but I really didn't like his lack of confidence. They are afraid the surgery may fix the structural issue but leave me in permanent pain due to the nerves. (I have two nerves that share a single casing, at the same place as the surgery- they already cause me pain-the surgery will cause scar tissue-which may press on the nerves)

 

I asked to have a referral to OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) Neurosurgery to see if they think they may be able to help me. It is being reviewed by the head of neurosurgery, and then he will determine if and then who I would see if I came there.

 

If you have gone to such a place, was the treatment different than at a regular physicians' group? Anything that surprised you? Any words of wisdom?

[Jean in Newcastle]

My nephew got his heart transplant at OHSU. The team of Drs. there was great. They really communicated with one another. They did a good job of communicating with the family about treatment, hospital stay etc. Don't know if I can really give you words of wisdom since his surgery was in a different field.

[In The Great White North]

I had two of my dc at the University of Michigan Hospital when we lived in Ann Arbor. The hospitals feel the same, just bigger. It was exactly like my first dc's birth until there was a hint of an emergency (baby's heart rate dropped). Suddenly, the three of us (dh, midwife and I) were joined by at least four doctors and residents, from both OB/GYN and Pediatrics "just in case." I had the impression that they could jump from calm, quiet birth with a midwife to open heart surgery in seconds! (It was a false alarm, dd was perfectly healthy when she was born naturally a few minutes later.)

 

At any rate, the big university hospitals also serve as a local little hospital for the people who live near it. We went there for ear infections after hours, x-rays, stitches, etc. The doctors and nurses are all real people too.

 

The main difference is that you may be examined by the doctor, then have them ask you if a resident/student can examine you also. Not really a problem but it does make the visit take longer and you do have to repeat everything.

 

I wouldn't have any qualms about going to a university hospital.

[Guest Noodles]

OHSU is a great place to go, IMHO. My daughter had bone surgery up at Doernbechers in 1999 and they were VERY wonderful. They make you feel at home, they don't just treat you like a cattle call patient, they treat you like a human person. They listen to you and your loved one. The surgeon my daughter had kept us posted every 1/2 hour or so...even coming out himself after bone removal to show us the bone! (We were all curious). They even called to check on her after we left and were home. Not many big hospitals go that far to see how patients are.

 

I had to take her back to the main hospital when she got the flu. Again they were wonderful. She was glad they numbed her arm before they stuck the IV in. (kids and needles..ugh!) Again we got the same treatment like we did when she had her bone surgery.

 

I have an upcoming eye surgery at Casey Eye Institute. I was a bit leery at first because it's my eyes; one wrong slip and I could be blind. But my doctor here has 100% trust in them so I will try too as well. Plus from the stuff I have read and heard from former patients was all good. OHSU seems to be very well respected in all aspects of their hospitals.

 

Hope this helps!! Good luck and hope it all goes well and you heal fast and are pain free after it is all taken care of. :D

[Carrie12345]

I've been to multiple university hospitals in NJ. Care and expertise varied by hospital, campus, and department, just like I'd figure with non-university hospitals.

[RoughCollie]

The main difference is that you may be examined by the doctor, then have them ask you if a resident/student can examine you also.

 

You can say no, at least at the Harvard-affiliated hospitals. I do.

[i.love.lucy]

I think the main selling point for them is that they are on the cutting edge (no pun intended) of the latest research/techniques/technology.

 

When we were living in CA I had a neuro problem come up quite suddenly and my local HMO referred me to USF. The doctor there was absolute tops in his field for my particular problem. Literally he invented the ways to treat this problem. I can't say his bedside manner was the same as that of my local family doctor, but I didn't care because I was getting top-notch treatment. And I didn't mind at all having the students and associates around to listen to him discuss my case. It was all very interesting to me.

 

Even now, 15 years later, when I mention to docs here in my new state who I saw for this problem they always comment about how lucky I was to be there where I could see this specialist.

[Laurie4b]

I think treatment is usually better (from a technical point of view) at a research hospital. The hospitals in our area are such. The only downside is that the treatment may be less personal for things like family medicine because doctors rotate clinic with teaching duty.

 

However, for your issue, I'd go with technical expertise. The teaching hospitals have to keep up with the cutting edge (haha) in medical advances. As long as your surgery is being done by one of the attendings and not a resident, that's what I would choose.

 

And I would definitely not go with a surgeon who was unsure of his ability to do the surgery. I would ask at the teaching hospital about your previous doctor's concerns: he may have been being honest and those might be concerns for any surgeon. Then you'll have to decide on the potential cost-benefits.

[Desert Rat]

My BIL has a rare genetic disorder that was killing him. He received a place in a study being conducted by Michigan University Hospital. It made a world of difference. Because no one really knows about his disease, doctors didn't know how to treat it correctly. There he got the help he needed. He lived with others who had the same disease so he knew he wasn't alone and they gave him mental and emotional support.

That's my experience with research hospitals.

BTW, for those curious, he has Wilson's disease. It's characterized by a build up of copper mostly in the liver and brain caused by the body not being able to process copper. He takes zinc which helps him rid his body of the build up. It caused parkinson like shakes and liver damage. Copper is a heavy metal so it was flattening his brain. He's had it since birth and was finally diagnosed at 28. For all you medical buffs out there. It's been on House too!

[Giraffe]

MIL works at a university hospital. I went there for consultation on my back (three spinal fusions, torn discs, fractured pedicles, etc.). They were awesome. Treated me well, were knowledgeable. I say go. You can always decline treatment.

 

Good luck!

[Jean in Newcastle]

I wanted to add that when my nephew was at OHSU, the hotel I stayed in (a Best Western, I think) had a shuttle that took people right to the hospital. It seemed like other hotels in the area did the same.