As a Financial Security Advisor in Moncton, Dave first learned about Best Doctors when Best Doctors did a presentation during a training session several years ago. He was advised that the service was added to his Group healthcare plan.
On January 19th, 2007 Dave’s life took a giant change in direction. Dave was rushed to hospital after experiencing sudden difficulty speaking while on the phone. On arrival at the hospital, he regained some of his ability to talk but very slowly. He kept repeating, “Best Doctors, Best Doctors”, very agitatedly, but no one knew what he was talking about. When his wife arrived, she knew what Dave meant and she explained it to the Neurosurgeon. Dave began to calm down and focus on the problem at hand. Initial tests showed a lesion in his brain and a shadow in his lung. The next day Dave was able to discuss his Best Doctors coverage with his Neurosurgeon, who did some investigation on Best Doctors and agreed to work with them.
Dave called Best Doctors
When Dave returned home he called Best Doctors and was assigned a Member Advocate, a Registered Nurse, to handle his case. Dave received all of the necessary forms by courier and forwarded the signed forms to his doctors, requesting that his medical records and tests be provided to Best Doctors.
In the meantime further tests confirmed Dave had lung cancer, which had spread to his brain. Dave’s Neurosurgeon urged him to start treatment immediately. Although Best Doctors had not yet received all of the medical tests results and Dave had not yet received their final report he agreed.
The first treatment on the brain lesion was the Gamma Knife procedure which was done on February 19th in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Following this treatment, Dave received the Best Doctors InterConsultation report. The review of his medical tests confirmed the diagnosis and recommended the same procedure for the lesion, but a different treatment for the lung cancer. The Best Doctors treatment was more aggressive than the Dave’s treating physician had recommended. The Best Doctors recommended treatment would have treated the area faster but also had some side affects which would have increased possible complications to other areas.
For Dave the report gave him what he was looking for. “Now I had the information I needed to make the final decision. I could look at all of the options and discuss them with my specialist. This is a good way to get a referral within the medical community and at the same time access world-wide medical experts, without leaving home. At least you will know if there are options and whether you choose to use the information or not, that is your decision. You will have the opportunity to give input into your future.
“I want my experience known by everyone…. the medical community, insurance companies, my insurance colleagues who recommend products and services to their clients and by every Canadian, that there is an organization accessible to you if you or a family member find yourself in a position like mine. Always allow yourself the opportunity to make sure your diagnosis is correct and you are aware of the best possible treatment options available to you.
Thank you to Steve, my Member Advocate at Best Doctors and the team at Best Doctors.”