When it comes to your skin, there’s no denying that you have an expert looking out for your best interests. Whether you wear makeup every day or are just starting to experience the effects of your environment on your appearance, skin is always the show in town. Keeping the skin healthy, clean, and oil-free is a constant struggle for most people. The sooner you tackle it, the better. Fortunately, there are plenty of factors that can make getting a great doctor easy or even enjoyable for you. The following advice will help you narrow down who’s right for you — just keep reading! Dermatologists specialize in treating conditions that involve problems with the skin such as eczema and acne. They are also trained to assess other health issues such as lice, ringworm, dandruff, warts, and insect bites that may be symptomatic of something else going on in your body. Their expertise with treating conditions involving the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) gives them another advantage: they tend to understand them well enough to recognize when something is not right with them so they can get a specialist in for help.
In-Person or Virtual Doctor Checkup?
If you live in a close-knit community where you have a trusted dermatologist in the area, you may not need to look any further than your local doctor. However, if you live in a larger city or rural area, you may want to consider visiting a dermatologist in-person. A doctor’s office visit is ideal for face-to-face communication. You can ask more questions and get more clarification about your condition, treatment plan, and insurance. With online doctor visits, you miss out on those important in-person communication benefits. You also lose the opportunity to see the doctor’s personality and the decor of the office. You may want to visit your dermatologist in-person if: You have a condition or health issue in a specific area that you need a dermatologist in that area for.
Decide if You Need a New Dermatologist or an Expert in Your Condition
This is a question that can’t be answered without knowing your specific health concern. It is always wise to see a new specialist if you’re not comfortable with the doctor you use now. You can always ask your current doctor if they would be open to seeing another specialist in your area or if they know of someone who would be a good fit for you. It’s also helpful to think about why you want to switch dermatologists. Is it the doctor’s personality? The office environment? The type of treatment you’re getting now versus what you want to do in the future? It’s important to think about why you’re switching doctors. If you decide that a new dermatologist is the best route for you, you can try to come up with a list of questions to ask your dermatologist’s office ahead of time. These questions may help you to decide if your dermatologist is a good fit for you.
Confirm Your Go-To Doctor Is Available for Appointment Time
It’s easy to forget to do this when you’re booking an appointment online, but it is crucial. You may want to call the office to confirm that your appointment is still on the schedule. You may also want to confirm your appointment by email. A medical office that doesn’t keep a consistent schedule for patient appointments is bound to cause frustration. Some offices are very strict about keeping a consistent schedule. Others are a little more flexible. It’s important to confirm that your doctor’s office keeps a consistent schedule for their appointment times so you can be sure to keep your appointment. If you’re not sure, call and ask. You may also want to confirm your appointment by email.
Ask if They Can Provide Online Consultations
Many dermatologists have embraced the idea that patients may need to manage their health from the comfort of their own home. As an example, your doctor may be able to refer you for an online health assessment. Online health assessments are useful for people who have a health concern that they’re unsure about. They’re not going to want to take the time to drive to the doctor’s office, wait in a waiting room, and sit in a cubicle while they wait for the doctor. Online health assessments can help to take the guesswork out of it so that people don’t have to feel rushed or like they’re wasting a trip to the doctor’s office. Online health assessments are also useful for people who need to manage their health condition such as monitoring blood pressure or cholesterol levels. You may want to consider seeing a dermatologist who can provide online consultations if: You have a health concern involving monitoring or managing your health condition from home.
Don’t Forget to Ask About Payment Beforehand
Before committing to seeing a new dermatologist, make sure you have a payment plan set up. If you have insurance, you may be able to use it to cover your visit. Some insurers require you to make a prior appointment to be seen. If this is the case, you’ll need to put your name on the calendar for that date. Once you have a date and time set, call the office to make sure payment is set up. In some offices, the receptionist may not be the person who handles financial matters. Check to make sure that the person taking your payment knows what they’re doing. If you have a payment plan set up, your dermatologist may not want to see you if you don’t pay.
Bottom line
When you’re selecting a new dermatologist, you should consider factors like location, availability, and qualifications when making your decision. You should also confirm the doctor’s availability before you show up for your appointment. There may be a better doctor out there for you. You just need to keep looking!