Dozens of websites would have you believe that they are in some official
capacity associated with a doctor.
They suggest that by filling out a form, they will arrange to set up an
appointment for you with a well-known and respected doctor. By so doing,
they imply that they have a special if not formal relationship with that
esteemed doctor and his employer, and that the famous doctor has endorsed
their company.
All of these suggestions are false.
It's common sense that if you want to schedule an appointment with
a doctor, no matter how famous he or she is, or where they practice, you
simply need to call that doctor's office.
Mesothelioma is a rare tumor and options are limited. There are regrettably
only a handful of skilled surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and immunologists
who hold themselves out as "experts" in treating Mesothelioma
patients. Each of these doctors, whether it's Dr. David Sugarbarker,
or Dr. Harvey Pass, or Dr. Robert Cameron, are I'm sure flattered
to be recognized as experts.
But, to my knowledge, none of these doctors has officially sponsored or
endorsed a mesothelioma marketing firm.
We suggest the following model be used in helping patients find the best
medical care. List the doctor's name, specialty, experience, and contact
information.
For example:
Dr. Robert Cameron, MD
UCLA Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist, Director of the Comprehensive
Mesothelioma Program at UCLA
Contact Administrator Martha Martinez at (310) 470-8980.
Dr. Robert Cameron, MD
West Los Angeles Veteran Administration Chief of Thoracic Surgeon
Contact Cardiothoracic
Surgery Case Manager Almaz Tesfasilase at (310) 268-4543.
Dr. Robert Cameron, MD
Pacific Mesothelioma Center Scientific Advisor
Contact Executive Director Clare Cameron at (310) 478-4678.
Web-surfers: finding a doctor is not a fun process, time is precious and
anxiety is high. Beware of marketers masquerading as medical liaisons.
Don’t let them exploit your vulnerability.
Here’s a list of a few sites that purport to act as agents for scheduling
appointments with Dr. Robert Cameron, the UCLA Medical Center and the
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center: