Getting Performance Statistics on Surgeons and Oncologists

[Guest guest]

I live in a small town, and the only urology practice is so busy I'm lucky to

get three minutes of the doctor's time. One of the doctors in this practice

does the robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy procedure, which I think is what I

want. I should get another doctor, but I would rather stay in town. However, I

might go to elsewhere for a doctor with more empathy, especially if the local

doctor's record is less than stellar. How do I find out the performance

statistics of my local doctor or of others who are out-of-town? Do I say: " How

many of these procedures have you performed and, of these, how many ended up

with urinary incontinence, how many ended up with erectile dysfunction, and how

many ended up with bowel problems? " Do I ask the question of the girl at the

window in the doctor`s office or do I have to use my three minutes to ask the

doctor himself? How can I know if I'm being told the truth? What should I

conclude if the answer is that they don't keep statistics? Is there an

independent source of statistics? .