20 Things to Look for When Choosing a Medical Specialist
When most people need a specialist doctor, they look for referrals on the internet, ask relatives, and look for a suggestion from their physician. Finding the right specialist that will actually help you is not an easy task, so you need to know what you're searching for and what your health issue is.
There are plenty of people who -fortunately- never had to deal with medical issues, so it's somewhat normal not to know which doctor does what. However, we are here to help each other learn and understand the medical terms to know what specialist you need to call when in need.
First, let's take a look at some general knowledge facts about different specialists and what they can help you with when you have health struggles.
What Kind of Specialist Do You Need?
Cardiologist
Cardiologists diagnose, treat, and assess patients with cardiovascular irregularities and diseases. The cardiovascular system consists of our heart and the blood vessels (veins, arteries). These specialists study medical school plus seven to eight years of specialization before becoming cardiologists. They can treat medical issues such as:
- arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
- diseases of the arteries (atherosclerosis, atheroma)
- angina (chest pain caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries)
- heart murmurs due to heart valve disease
- coronary artery thrombosis or myocardial infarction (heart attack) related to high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol
- oedema (accumulation of fluid in the heart)
Internist
Internal medicine specialists or internists are professionals who diagnose and treat diseases. They promote overall human health, suggesting treatments for ongoing and undetected illnesses and puzzling medical problems. Internists are the first line of defense, and they receive patients before any other specialist.
Often, they collaborate and ask for an opinion from other specialists to provide an exact diagnosis or a treatment for their patients. Internists study a four-year medical school, then complete a three-year residency, and if they choose, they can subspecialize in a specific medical branch such as infectious diseases, cardiology, nephrology, etc.
Pulmonologist
This specialist diagnoses and treats diseases and infections of the respiratory tract (lungs, alveoli, and other organs that help us breathe). A pulmonologist treats respiratory issues that your physician can't diagnose or require special treatment.
There are various parts of the respiratory tract that these specialists check, including:
- sinuses
- throat windpipe (trachea)
- voice box (larynx)
- bronchial tubes
- lungs with bronchioles and alveoli
- diaphragm
Pulmonologists are specialized in detecting and treating illnesses such as:
- Asthma - inflamed and narrowed airways obstructing normal breathing
- COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) group of lung illnesses
- Obstructive sleep apnea - repeated pauses in breathing while sleeping
- Cystic fibrosis - sticky mucus build-up in the lungs
- Emphysema - which damages the air sacs in the lungs
- Lung cancer - a type of cancer that grows in the lungs
- Pulmonary hypertension - high blood pressure in lungs' arteries
- Bronchitis - Inflamed airways full of mucus, strong cough
- Pneumonia - Inflammation of the lungs; the air sacs (alveoli) fill up with puss
- Tuberculosis - a bacterial infection of the lungs
- COVID-19 pneumonia - severe breathing problems and respiratory failure
Gynecologist
A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in female reproductive health. These doctors diagnose and treat issues with the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and breasts. Gynecologists do pelvic exams, cancer screenings, and treatments for vaginal infections. They diagnose and treat:
- endometriosis
- infertility
- ovarian and cervical cancers
- menopause symptoms
- myomas (non-cancerous tumors)
- pregnancy and birth health
After four years of medical school, gynecologists must do four years of residency, qualifying written tests, proof of experience in patient care, and a Certifying Exam.
Endocrinologist
Endocrinologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating issues connected to the endocrine system (hormones, hormonal glands). Their job consists of diagnosing and treating:
- hormonal disbalance
- thyroid disease
- diabetes
- infertility
- metabolic disorder
- disorders in adrenal glands (hormone-producing glands)
- disorders in pituitary glands (master glands controlling the activities of the hormone glands)
Endocrinologists must go through four-year medical school, three years of residency, three years of fellowship in endocrinology, metabolism and diabetes, an exam to become a board-certified doctor, and an additional exam and final certification in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism.
Urologist
A urologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases related to the urinary tract in men and women, and they also diagnose and treat illnesses connected to the masculine reproductive tract, such as the penis, prostate, and testicles. These doctors deal with the following conditions:
- female urology - urinary tract problems
- male infertility
- neurology - focuses on urinary problems connected to the nervous system
- pediatric urology - urinary conditions in children
- urologic oncology - focuses on detecting and treating bladder, kidneys, prostate, and testicle cancers.
Now that you know which specialist is addressing which part of the body, let's analyze all the aspects of how to choose your medical specialist.
Finding the right doctor can be an exhausting and time-consuming process. Often, we don't make the right choice, especially in emergencies. The key to getting successful treatment for most diseases and conditions is the correct diagnosis, and this always depends on choosing the right medical specialist.
20 Things to Look Up for When Choosing a Medical Specialist
1. Figure Out What Kind of Specialist You Need
Many health conditions require more time to get diagnosed than others. Therefore, you need to be careful when explaining the symptoms to your physician because jumping from one specialist to another can be expensive.
To avoid any wrong diagnosis and even worse, erroneous treatments, you need to focus on what you're feeling exactly and make it easier for your physician to direct you to the right specialist.
2. Make a List of Specialists (That You Need) in Your Area
Narrowing down the search helps more than you can imagine. Do your research and find all specialists' names and contacts in your area. You can check doctor-finder databases, ask your physician, ask your health insurance company to assist with a list, and add all the names suggested by your friends and family.
Make sure that your list only consists of specialists that could address your health issue, for example, if you have chest pain, mucus, and severe cough, you need to make a list of pulmonologists and so on.
3. Narrow Down Your Primary List
Now, it's time to narrow down the list even more and choose doctors according to your preferences that include many factors such as:
- Years of practice
- Hospital affiliation
- Educational background
- Office location
- If your insurance is accepted or not
- Subspecialization interest if you have an internist list (hematology-blood, nephrology-kidneys, rheumatology-muscles and bones, oncology-cancers, etc.)
- Gender
- Languages spoken
- Review the CV (hospitals usually have their specialists' CVs online)
- Always check for patient reviews
- Check for past/pending lawsuits
4. Google Your Specialist
You can find all the necessary information online to verify your specialist's background. Check if they're registered in the Board of Medical Specialists in the state where they're practicing medicine.
5. Check with the Medical Boards of Doctors
Depending on the state where the doctor is practicing medicine, you can check their work license and make sure you're going to be attended by a true professional.
6. Check for Past/Pending Lawsuits
Many doctors end up with lawsuits due to malpractice in their work. The last thing you need in your life when looking for a specialist is to end up in the wrong doctor's hands.
7. Read the Doctor's Website
Almost all specialists have their websites. Here, you can find testimonials from previous patients and see their experience with the doctor was. Sharing similar health issues with other patients can lead you to the right medical professional you need.
8. Call a Friend of a Friend Who Had a Similar Issue
If no one in your vicinity is familiar with the symptoms you're having and doesn't know any specialist that can help you, then think of someone who maybe had the same issue, and try to contact them for a specialist recommendation. When health is at stake, you shouldn't worry about calling someone you haven't called in years.
9. Ask for Recommendations in Online Help Groups
There are probably dozens -if not hundreds- of people in your area that share your health issues, so asking an anonymous question in online support groups can be a helpful lead on finding your perfect doctor. Sometimes, it's easier to ask strangers for advice than our own family.
10. Make an Appointment
When visiting your specialist's office, pay attention to the professionalism of the nurses, the reception staff, the availability, the cleanliness, waiting room comfort and hygiene, and communication. If you feel comfortable and well-treated by the medical staff, consider sticking to that doctor for further issues or chronic illnesses.
11. Is Your Doctor Available on the Long Run?
If you're dealing with a long-term illness that needs years of treatment and care planning, make sure that you don't choose a doctor close to retirement time. Experienced doctors are the best according to many, but you want to have the same specialists working on your case all the way through. Even if your doctor is not retiring soon, make sure they have time in their schedule for emergencies.
12. Be Prepared
When visiting your specialist, you need to bring all the necessary information to help with quick attention and accurate diagnosis for your medical condition.
- Show your list of medications.
- Show a list of your medical and surgical history/conditions.
- Show a list of your allergies, if any.
- Show the contact information of your physician.
- Show your insurance information.
13. Ask Questions
These are some of the right questions you need to ask your specialist in case you are diagnosed and require treatment.
- How many similar surgeries have you performed previously?
- What are the risks/benefits of the surgery? Are there any alternatives to this procedure?
- What kind of literature should I read to be prepared for this procedure?
- If your specialist doubts your previous diagnosis, what else could it be?
- Are there other less expensive medications and treatments for my diagnosis?
14. Trust Your Gut
- Did you feel the doctor cares for your health or just wants your insurance money?
- Do you like how the doctor approaches your health issue?
- Do you trust your doctor to give you all the attention needed?
15. Check Educational Background
It's essential that your specialist is an actual professional medical practitioner with adequate education and documented experience with patients.
All the trustworthy and reliable doctors can be searched online as private practitioners or employees of hospitals and medical centers. Their moral values oblige them to display the CVs and the educational backgrounds of the doctors.
16. Get a Second Opinion
- If you have doubts about your doctor or your expectations have failed, look for another doctor.
- If you're not satisfied with the diagnosis or it's something hard to believe in, you have a right to a second opinion from another specialist.
17. If a Doctor is Impatient - Not Your Cup of Tea
No matter how many patients are scheduled for the day, a doctor needs to be patient and spend as much time as needed with all of them. If you notice that your doctor is superficially diagnosing you with something without even hearing you out, then that doctor doesn't even try to show that they care for your health. Get your things and go for the next one.
18. If You Change Your Opinion, Keep Searching for a New Doctor
It happens quite often to change an opinion about a doctor, depending on the treatment we are receiving. Some specialists seem professional and attentive on the first appointment and change completely after they have you book the next appointment and pay for costly treatments. If you don't feel comfortable after a while and you have been treated like a number on the list, then keep searching for a new doctor that will attend to you as you deserve.
19. If the Doctor is Irresponsive, Forget About Them
Doctors won't always answer your call – they may be busy with other patients and have their own life. However, they have staff working for them only to pick up patients' calls and schedule appointments, as well as help out with emergencies. If you can't get in touch with your doctor even once, then they're probably too busy and won't have time to give you the attention you need.
20. Reward Good Doctors with Positive Reviews
Good doctors save people's lives, so they deserve to be acknowledged for that and get a lot of recommendations. Write positive reviews, recommend them to other patients, talk positively about them on social media, their websites, etc.
Choosing the right medical specialist can be an endless labyrinth if you don't know what to look for. If you ever have health struggles and can't find an adequate professional, get a prescription from a doctor at QuickRxRefill.com.
Conclusion
We hope this article helped you understand the process and all the steps you need to do before choosing a medical specialist. In case of emergency, go for the one with the best reviews from people you trust. Also, ask for the best diagnostician among the shortlist of specialists you have noted.
Don't forget to share your experience with the people around you. You never know when your advice or recommendation can save a life. Good luck with your search.
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