The following suggestions can help you find the right dermatologists in Grand Rapids.
Ask your primary care doctor for a recommendation
Your primary care doctor probably knows several dermatologists in Grand Rapids, and may be able to point you in the right direction. At the very least, you should get an opinion from him or her, so that you have a place to start. Nurses, too, can often be good sources for recommendations. If you know anyone who is a nurse, ask and see if they can tell you of anyone they know.
Does the dermatologist accept your insurance?
Many if not most dermatological treatments that are NOT purely cosmetic in nature are covered by insurance, such as acne treatments. Cosmetic procedures, like anti-aging treatments or laser hair removal, usually aren't. Make sure the dermatologist you choose takes your insurance in the event you're going to need non-cosmetic procedures at some point.
Prices count, too
Although money should most definitely not be your first concern when you're choosing a dermatologist, you may also want to check on pricing for procedures insurance doesn't cover, in case you'll want them done someday.
Board certification is important, too
Good dermatologists in Grand Rapids will be board-certified, meaning that they have completed additional training and passed board examinations as given by the American Board of Dermatology. They'll be knowledgeable in a variety of areas, including skin surgeries, treatment of nail, hair and skin disorders, and so on.
Does your doctor have an area of expertise?
In some cases, you may want to know what a dermatologist specializes in. Any dermatologist, for example, is going to be able to treat most cases of acne, but there are dermatologists who specialize in acne treatments, while others may specialize in skin cancer or hair loss. Therefore, if you've got a particular concern, you can check to see if any dermatologists in Grand Rapids specialize in that concern.
Do the doctor's office hours fit your schedule?
Everyone's busy and has obligations to meet, and it's probably true that you're no exception. Because of that, most good dermatologists will have weekend and evening appointments available for those who can't make it to 9-to-5 appointments. If this is something you'll need to accommodate, make sure the doctor you're looking at can fit around your schedule.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
It's not necessarily a bad thing if you have to wait a little bit for dermatologists in Grand Rapids to give you an appointment, if it's not an emergency situation. Good doctors are also busy, so the fact that you have a bit of wait time for non-emergency appointments can be a sign that you're actually getting a really good doctor. That said, you should also be able to get in very quickly if you do have an emergency situation.
What's your rapport like?
It may seem like something you shouldn't be overly concerned about, but personal rapport is also important when you're choosing a dermatologist. You should be comfortable enough that you can freely voice concerns, ask questions, and be completely open about any health issues you've got in the dermatological realm. You shouldn't feel rushed during your appointment and you should feel completely comfortable when you're working with your doctor. If you don't like your doctor or simply don't mesh, don't worry about it. Do look for someone else, though, because you should be comfortable with the doctor you choose.
No comments:
Post a Comment