No it’s not a dating service, but in this article from the New York Times, patients can now go online an meet a surgeon who might answer their questions about a procedure. It’s an interesting idea but I caution against it.

First of all, you as the patient should see the physician in his/her “natural environment.” That is, his office. What happens if it’s a mess or you don’t like the decor? It may seem crazy but it’s part of forming an opinion about who he is, almost like going to a restaurant. Also, you’ll want to meet the staff and see what the doctor is like in person, not just on a computer screen.

As for the surgeon, there is no substitute for seeing and putting your hands on a patient in order to get a good idea of what you are and are not capable of doing. A computer screen cannot take the place of a good physical exam.

So overall, I’d pass on this idea. Clever marketing but poor medicine.