Finding the right gynecologist for you. Health care can be a daunting event for some people due to a bad experience that they have had in the past. Others might rave to you about their doctor and how amazing they are. Receiving any healthcare is an extremely subjective experience, but one that can shape the way you view healthcare in the future for the rest of your life. It is important to understand that there are things that you should take into consideration when seeking a healthcare professional. However, when choosing a gynecologist, there are some extra criteria which may be important for you to consider when seeking one. Gynecology is an intimate specialty that deals with the female reproductive system and it is important that you are comfortable with your doctor to have a positive experience. They screen you for diseases and ultimately help you plan a family.
Seeking care from a gynecologist is important if you have been sexually active or are planning on conceiving a child and just for overall female wellness and wellbeing. Because we believe that women’s health is important that all women should have a gynecologist, we have compiled some points to consider when seeking your gynecologist healthcare provider.
Get referrals
If you have never been to a gynecologist, you may be wondering where to start in your search for one. The best thing is to ask your primary care doctor for a list of gynecologists that they trust. Also, asking friends and family for recommendations are good sources since they are people you trust. Take into consideration whether you are comfortable sharing a gynecologist with someone that you know. Remember that if the same name is resurfacing amongst trusted sources, chances is they have a good reputation behind them. If this is not an option, you can always search for one in close proximity of where you live or work on the Internet.
Search them online
Once you have narrowed down your list of choice to 2 or 3 candidates, search them online. There are 3 things you should consider when searching a doctor online. Firstly, their education; where they were trained and when they received their accreditation. Secondly, you should consider their experience and expertise, so how long they have been practicing and if they specialize in something like infertility or menopause etc. For some people, these things are not important, but they are important to consider if they mean something to you.
Consider the Gender
If having a male gynecologist is something that you are uncomfortable with, it is something important to consider when you are searching for a doctor. It is important to feel as comfortable as possible with you gynecologist. Consider whether you might feel awkward or self-conscious around a certain gender of gynecologist.
How well do you gel
Setting up for first appointment with a gynecologist to get to know them is optional. Do not feel forced to return to a doctor you have seen that you did not quite get along with. It is alright not to like someone as your doctor and to seek someone else. Remember that this is an extremely intimate specialty, one in which you will be asked difficult to answer or awkward questions. You should feel comfortable talking to your gynecologist about these things. It is also important to gauge how your doctor interacts with you and answers your questions. Do they show a genuine interest in your life? Are they gentle and caring? It is important to seek health professionals who respect your treatment preferences and ideals and who include you in the decision-making process with regards to your management plan. Trust and comfort are important factors to look out for when seeing a gynecologist. It is important to trust your doctor to make the right decisions for you once you have built a relationship with them.
Proximity and availability
While the best gynecologist in town may be all you want, it is unrealistic if they live over an hour away from you. Consider the proximity of your gynecologist and the hospital which they are attached to. This is especially important if you are planning on getting pregnant or are already pregnant as you will need to visit the doctor’s office frequently. Having a gynecologist that is always busy and can only squeeze you in for an appointment every 4 months because they are so popular and fully booked is also something to consider.
Don’t let your insurance catch you off guard
It is important to know what health and hospital plan you have and what your insurance covers. To receive maximal benefits from the insurance that you have, you might need to choose a gynecologist that is part of your plan in order to minimize the out-of-pocket costs. So, while you might be set on going to Dr XX, the best gynecologist in town, remember that this may incur you a hefty fee. If you want to stick within your insurance plan, make sure you get a list of affiliated gynecologists from your providers, and start your searching process again. The same goes for the hospitals affiliated with your insurance plan. Make sure that the gynecologist you are seeing works at one of the hospitals your plan covers, or else you may be faced with hospital fees that you have to cover yourself.
So while it may take more than one visit to the doctor’s office to find the right fit for you, it is worth having a positive experience with a doctor who you trust and feel comfortable with.
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