Choosing a dermatologist is an important decision that involves many different factors. Whether you’ve already got a skin condition or you just want to prevent future issues from occurring, visiting a dermatologist is the right move. To help you find the best medical professional for you, follow these helpful tips.
1. Get Referrals from Others
A good place to start your search for a dermatologist is with your primary doctor. Ask for a list of recommendations and do your research from there. If you know of any friends or family members who have visited a dermatologist, get their recommendations too. It’s always easier to trust a doctor when they come highly recommended by someone else.
2. Do Your Research
Once you have a list of reputable dermatologists in your area, you can begin researching them to narrow it down. Don’t hesitate to call each doctor’s office and ask the questions most important to you. Ask about the doctor’s medical equipment and procedures, their experience, and their success rate in treating whatever skin condition you have. Do this for each doctor before crossing any off the list.
3. Consider the Dermatologist’s Experience
Extensive experience is important, especially when you’re dealing with the health and appearance of your skin, nails, and hair. If you’re dealing with a specific condition, the more experience the doctor has in that area, the better.
For example, if you’ve got skin cancer, fellowship training in a specialty like skin cancer surgery will push a doctor to the top of your list. Don’t be afraid to question the doctor extensively about their experience with your particular condition and what complications may arise throughout your treatment.
4. Consider Your Doctor’s Gender
While gender may not matter to you, your doctor’s training may be geared more toward one gender over the other. Further, it’s important to feel comfortable with your dermatologist since you’ll be discussing personal topics, so the doctor’s gender may be a factor in deciding which one you choose.
5. Look for a Dermatologist Who Communicates Well
Communication is the key to successfully treating your skin condition. You need to be comfortable with the doctor you choose as you will be talking about personal and emotional issues.
When you first visit a dermatologist, ask questions, and pay close attention to how they’re answered. If the doctor seems genuinely engaged and doesn’t rush the answers, it’s a good sign they see you as a human being who needs help rather than just a number or a paycheck.
6. Read Patient Reviews
Lastly, before choosing a dermatologist, dedicate some time to reading patient reviews. People love to leave reviews about the doctors they see, especially if they’ve had a particularly good experience or a particularly bad one. It’s important to take these reviews with a grain of salt as people are more likely to leave bad reviews than good ones.
That said, patient reviews can give you valuable insight into the doctor’s bedside manner, how much time they spend with his patients, how friendly their employees are, and a host of other things you might not find out on your own in a single visit.
Choosing the right dermatologist for you is an important personal decision that involves a myriad of factors as outlined above. When you’re dealing with a skin issue, you want a doctor who’s knowledgeable, skillful, and who cares about your wellbeing. By following the tips above, you should be able to find the best dermatologist for you.
