Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Why patients choose the surgeon, not the hospital

Dr. Bhavin P. Vadodariya
Physician
February 12, 2025
Share
Tweet
Share

It was a Sunday morning, a rare moment of leisure for a young surgeon stepping into the fifth year of his superspecialty practice. Sitting with his family, savoring the tranquility of a slow day, he felt grateful for the pause. But as the evening crept in, so did the familiar storm: Calls started pouring in—an OT staff member asking about requirements for the next day’s surgeries, a medical officer updating him on new admissions, and a registrar discussing post-op rounds. Even the billing department chimed in about pending settlements.

By the time dinner arrived, his mind was already racing through the week ahead. There were surgeries to plan, patients to consult, and marketing strategies to refine. His daughter’s innocent laughter momentarily pulled him back into the present, but the weight of responsibilities lingered as he rested his head on the pillow that night.

This wasn’t an unusual day for him. At just 35, he was acutely aware that the next decade would be the most critical phase of his career: building his practice, earning trust, and establishing his name. Every step felt like laying the foundation for a future of stability and peace.

Monday morning arrived with its usual chaos, but there was a silver lining. Being an independent consultant meant he had control over his schedule. With a supportive team comprising his manager, registrar, and marketing executive, he managed to spend some quality time with his family before heading to the hospital.

The day began with patient consultations, explaining surgeries that cost lakhs and convincing families why his team was the right choice. Between OPD appointments, his manager informed him about complaints regarding OPD reception staff not attending to patients properly and internal conflicts among nursing staff. The result? Delays in preoperative preparation, leaving patients dissatisfied.

He immediately stepped into action: Discussions with his manager and direct conversations with staff followed. Later, during his rounds, he found most patients content, but there were exceptions. One patient complained about food quality and delayed dinner service. Another mentioned the late response of nursing and PCA staff. The surgeon addressed each issue—talking to the food manager, instructing the nurse in charge, and ensuring accountability.

When he finally entered the OT, it was like stepping into his sanctuary. The surgery was flawless, but even there, issues surfaced. The anesthetist brought up pharmacy delays, and the OT manager mentioned staff shortages. Reassurance and quick problem-solving were his only tools to keep the day running smoothly.

By the end of the day, meetings with the CEO, COO, and operations head were inevitable. Discussions revolved around streamlining OPD, IPD, and OT operations to improve patient care. Despite the structural challenges, he knew that patients placed their trust in him—not just for the surgery but for ensuring their entire hospital experience was smooth.

From room cleanliness to food quality, from billing disputes to staff behavior, patients often hold the surgeon accountable for everything. He recalled one incident where a patient’s relative argued about billing discrepancies, and he had to intervene personally, not just to resolve the issue but to maintain trust.

Over time, he realized that being a surgeon in a corporate hospital is much more than performing surgeries. It’s like running a small startup, where the brand is the surgeon’s name, and the success of this “business” depends on seamless coordination between multiple teams: admission staff, OPD and OT nurses, PCA staff, pharmacists, and billing executives.

Patients don’t just choose a hospital; they choose the surgeon. Their decision often hinges on a surgeon’s reputation, empathy, and ability to lead a team that delivers exceptional care. It’s a role that demands not just clinical expertise but also leadership, conflict resolution, and a relentless commitment to patient satisfaction.

The surgeon often marvels at how this profession blends healing with entrepreneurship. Every patient who walks out satisfied is a testament to his team’s collective effort. And while the weight of these responsibilities can be overwhelming, the gratitude and trust of patients make it all worthwhile.

This is the life of a surgeon: a blend of skill, compassion, leadership, and relentless dedication. It’s a journey that tests every aspect of one’s character but rewards with the priceless gift of trust and respect.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bhavin P. Vadodariya is a surgical oncologist in India.

Prev

Understanding the testosterone surge: risks, trends, and solutions in men's health [PODCAST]

February 11, 2025 Kevin 0
…
Next

How operational inefficiencies are undermining patient trust and care

February 12, 2025 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Surgery

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Understanding the testosterone surge: risks, trends, and solutions in men's health [PODCAST]
Next Post >
How operational inefficiencies are undermining patient trust and care

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Dr. Bhavin P. Vadodariya

  • Financing cancer or fighting it: the real cost of tobacco

    Dr. Bhavin P. Vadodariya
  • Why cancer care remains inaccessible for India’s poor

    Dr. Bhavin P. Vadodariya
  • How operational inefficiencies are undermining patient trust and care

    Dr. Bhavin P. Vadodariya

Related Posts

  • Hospital administrators thinking about no-cost treatment which really helps patients

    John Corsino, DPT
  • Voting from the hospital: How emergency ballots give patients a voice

    Claire Abramoff, MD
  • You are abandoning your patients if you are not active on social media

    Pat Rich
  • Why creative endeavors are important for the future surgeon

    Thomas L. Amburn
  • Practicing patience with patients

    Natalie Enyedi
  • Under-addressed mediators of adherence: personality in patients

    Trisha Kaundinya

More in Physician

  • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

    Nicole M. King, MD
  • Why U.S. health care pricing is so confusing—and how to fix it

    Ashish Mandavia, MD
  • From survival to sovereignty: What 35 years in the ER taught me about identity, mortality, and redemption

    Kenneth Ro, MD
  • When doctors forget how to examine: the danger of lost clinical skills

    Mike Stillman, MD
  • When the white coats become gatekeepers: How a quiet cartel strangles America’s health

    Anonymous
  • The man in seat 11A survived, but why don’t our patients?

    Dr. Vivek Podder
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • 2 hours to decide my future: How the SOAP residency match traps future doctors

      Nicolette V. S. Sewall, MD, MPH | Education
    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • In a fractured world, Brian Wilson’s message still heals

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician
    • How doctors took back control from hospital executives

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • Why shared decision-making in medicine often fails

      M. Bennet Broner, PhD | Conditions
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Why we fear being forgotten more than death itself

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician
    • What if medicine had an exit interview?

      Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C | Conditions
    • Why U.S. health care pricing is so confusing—and how to fix it

      Ashish Mandavia, MD | Physician
    • From survival to sovereignty: What 35 years in the ER taught me about identity, mortality, and redemption

      Kenneth Ro, MD | Physician
    • When doctors forget how to examine: the danger of lost clinical skills

      Mike Stillman, MD | Physician
    • When your dream job becomes a nightmare [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • 2 hours to decide my future: How the SOAP residency match traps future doctors

      Nicolette V. S. Sewall, MD, MPH | Education
    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • In a fractured world, Brian Wilson’s message still heals

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician
    • How doctors took back control from hospital executives

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • Why shared decision-making in medicine often fails

      M. Bennet Broner, PhD | Conditions
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Why we fear being forgotten more than death itself

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician
    • What if medicine had an exit interview?

      Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C | Conditions
    • Why U.S. health care pricing is so confusing—and how to fix it

      Ashish Mandavia, MD | Physician
    • From survival to sovereignty: What 35 years in the ER taught me about identity, mortality, and redemption

      Kenneth Ro, MD | Physician
    • When doctors forget how to examine: the danger of lost clinical skills

      Mike Stillman, MD | Physician
    • When your dream job becomes a nightmare [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...