what do you think?

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I wondered if anyone had the checklist of what to ask a doctor to

ensure he

knows how to apply the Ponseti method correctly? I know I had the

link saved

somewhere but I can't find it anymore.

I want to fax a doctor in Vancouver and have him address the

questions since

I don't really want to fly out there just to see if he would be a

good

doctor for my baby.

Dr. Ponseti mentioned a Dr. Moreau in Edmonton but said that he

doesn't know

the success rates he's acheiving and if he's using the method

correctly. So

I called Dr. Moreau's office today and spoke with his receptionist.

I asked for the fax number so I could send him a fax with some

questions and

so she inquired a bit further so I told her some of the things I

wanted to

know. (success rate, rate of babies requiring surgery after failed

Ponseti

treatment, could I speak with other parents of babies that he's

treated).

Anyway, she was sort of rude, I thought. She told me that " of course

they

use the Ponseti method...that's all they've been using for 2 years " .

When I

asked about success rate or surgical rate, she didn't know and had

an

attitude as though that isn't something important I would need to

know.

She wanted to know why I wasn't just going to go to the Calgary

Children's

Hospital (a possibility but we haven't spoken w/drs there yet and

none are

Ponseti certified) and I told her that there wasn't anyone near here

that

was certified. She said that there really isn't a need to

be " certified " and

that either you use the Ponseti method or you don't and that it

isn't

" rocket science " (yes, that's what she said!).

Anyway, I guess I won't be able to correspond w/Dr. Moreau through

her and I

don't know that I'd want to deal with someone like that during the

course of

treatment anyway. As a parent, I should be able to find out exactly

what

their methodology is she should understand that! She says he has

taught

other Drs about the method (so I guess that means he's wonderful?).

Why

don't these Drs want to get " certified " so that parents could go to

them

with confidence without waiting to see if they do it right?

I spoke with Dr. Pirani's receptionist in Vancouver (who came highly

recommended by Dr. Ponseti) and she was great and told me to fax all

of my

questions etc.

Anyway, sorry to rant but it sort of made me mad that the first lady

was so

unaccomodating and condescending! How did you find it trying to weed

out the

bad drs armed with your Ponseti checklist? Also, if so many drs are

using

it, why not get certified? Also, since Dr. Moreau is much closer

(3hr drive

vs 1 hr flight to Vancouver) would you still pursue trying to get

the

questions answered or is such a bad " gatekeeper " an indication that

it might

not be the best place to get treatment?

Thanks very much!

Halley