EP criteria

What would be your criteria for choosing an EP if you had access to any historical data you desire?

For example, suppose there were 10 Natale's or Jais, or ___, spread across the US, each with a different history of cases and different random professional choices of this or that. As a bit of constraint, they'd all be very competent with ablations for 70% of the ablations that were done in 2021 in the US. What criteria would you assign, say, +1, 0, or -1 to be added up as a your personal ranking, with the highest score being your 1st choice for your ablation?

It's essentially a fool's errand. I don't mean for an instant to impugn you or your question: I think it is perfectly reasonabl, as you appear to be yourself. I do think that, once you get into the weeds, and there are a few, then you will see how difficult, not to mention subjective, any possible rendering from the 'data' will be.

But, I'll play along for a bit, perhaps to illustrate my position on this matter:

a. Who was the mentor/instructor? What is that person's rate of success as defined by decided universal criteria?

b. What criteria did the facility or the mentor/instructor use to deem any one candidate as 'trained' or qualified? Is there a difference between teaching hospitals for this assessment, and if so, what are the differences and the rationale for them? Do these sound reasonable, and how universally well supported are they in the field?

....and so on. For something as important as one's own health, certainly mine, I would need a lot of information to discriminate between people I am entertaining calling on for an intervention of some kind. But, some of us don't have the luxury of being choosers. Sometimes the costs to access the 'best' services are prohibitive. Those well-healed, retired maybe with a decent pension income, or just that desperate might be willing to avail themselves of the top tier, cost and inconvenience to themselves and to those closest to them be damned.

Thanks, spot on.

And, what are their success rates for different types of patients: paroxysmal, persistent, long-standing persistent. Many EPs won’t even tackle long-standing persistent, but if they do, what is their success rate?

How did I choose my EP?
After decades of poor advice, I could have jumped at the chance to grab anyone that could offer me hope.

Did I...no!

I booked appointments with many EPs and weighed up their responses to my questions.
Some were interested others were indifferent.

One told me they really don't do my gender as physically females are difficult to ablate.
Another said I was too old.
And the best one was a very confident guy who said " you can die you know" and vigorously shook my hand at the end of the chat and said he was sure he could help. Ha...no way.

During an appointment with my neurologist, I mentioned that it was a minefield out there in regard to my long-standing AF.
He referred me to a cardiologist who he said was one of the best.
The cardiologist was excellent and advised me to see an EP. He asked me if I wanted gungho or conservative. I chose conservative.

This EP is excellent...I'm a difficult patient, full of anxiety and doubts and lots of trust issues.
He is confident and reasonably patient with me( I say reasonably because I ask the same questions over and over and it must drive him to distraction)

Choosing your specialist is a personal choice, you must have confidence in them and in your own decisions, and weigh up the benefits of one against the other.
Get Referrals. Start with your referral list from your primary care doctor, research their Credentials, evaluate their Communication Style, and read patient reviews if available.

Quote
Daisy
And, what are their success rates for different types of patients: paroxysmal, persistent, long-standing persistent. Many EPs won’t even tackle long-standing persistent, but if they do, what is their success rate?

Success rate for long-standing persistent is at the top of my list & why my choice is who it is if/when I need an ablation.

For all types of highly skilled medical technicians, word of mouth seems to be the only reasonable method of finding the best Dr. for whatever treatment you need. That's why this forum is a benefit for most people, not only to find the best technicians, but also for understanding the complexities of afib.

Going to someone that has a lot of experience is important.

I am glad I chose Natale.