Deciding to go to the dermatologist is one thing. Finding the right dermatologist can be the real challenge. The easiest way to determine if a doctor is right for you is by creating a list of criteria to compare them against. Once you have determined this list, you can compare your finds to see who matches best. Here, we provide you with five steps to make the best decision for your unique situation.
Finding The Right Dermatologist
At Blue Ridge Dermatology, we are dedicated to helping you find the best solution to your dermatological needs. We know a thing or two about the field, so we came up with a comprehensive list of important characteristics of any dermatologist.
Determine Your Dermatological Needs
Everyone has different dermatological needs. This can be broken down into three categories: medical, surgical, and cosmetic. Once you know which of these you are looking for, you can aim to find a dermatologist who provides the services you require. If you are not certain of what services you need, this can be a great way to talk to the doctor and see what they suggest for your specific case.
University Hospitals provide a comprehensive list of dermatological services that can give you the chance to learn about them before ever setting foot in an office. You do not have to know everything, but it can be useful to explain to your doctor what you have been considering.
Find Out How The Payment Works
It can be complicated to figure out which doctors take what insurance. However, this is an important detail to figure out before ever making an appointment. If you are using insurance, you can find out which ones are covered under your plan. That can provide you with a smaller list to go off of from the beginning of the search.
Check Out Their Credentials
Before ever starting your search, it can be helpful to know the necessary education for a dermatologist to be deemed certified. The Cleveland Clinic provides a list of training and qualifications that a dermatologist must have.
They must complete:
- Four years of college
- Four years of medical school
- One year of an internship
- Three years of residency
- One to two years of fellowship (this is not required)
- License to practice medicine
- Pass the board certification exam
Each of these is important to recognize and should be easy to locate about a dermatologist that you are considering going to.
Pay Attention To Reviews
People provide a lot of information in reviews online. However, this is information that must be taken lightly as we never know the full story behind a review. This is useful to see what people went to the doctor for and to find overarching themes among the reviews. If you are noticing a lot of people saying similar things, it may be a common occurrence at that establishment.
See How You Feel After The Appointment
Once you have decided on a doctor to go to, pay attention to how you feel. The day of the appointment can tell you a lot about how the office feels. You can also see if the communication style of the doctor is something that works well for you. There is nothing wrong with going to one appointment and deciding that another doctor may be the best fit. It is all about finding the right place for you and your medical journey.
Now is the time to find the right dermatologist! Once you have taken each of these five characteristics into consideration, you are well on your way to completing the search. You may even find it easier than you originally thought. Are you looking for a dermatologist who gets it? Blue Ridge Dermatology has an incredible staff who are all here to help you reach your dermatological goals. Give us a call at (919) 781-1050 for more information.
