On
paper, a gynecologist is simply a doctor that specializes in diseases
of the female reproductive tract. Many are also dual obstetricians
who are responsible for overseeing a woman’s and the baby’s
health during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
In
practice however, these specialists deal with a whole range of
sensitive issues from birth control, sexual health and dysfunction as
well as family planning and menopause. It is because of this that
most women form a long and lasting bond with their OB-GYN. Finding a
good gynecologist that fits into your lifestyle can begin a
relationship that can span decades and large portions of your life.
The
search for a new gynecologist should not be taken lightly and can be
a tricky, awkward task for most women due to its intimate nature. So
how do you go about finding the very best doctor for your specific
needs? Here are the main things to look for.
Trust
and connection
While
most sources out there will start by recommending the first thing to
do to find a proper gynecologist is to check their credentials, we
have gone a different route. The doctor-patient relationship is a
partnership and requires that both people mutually trust and respect
each other. If the relationship breaks down, then it doesn’t matter
how knowledgeable the doctor is. If the patient doesn’t trust their
advice, then nothing can be accomplished.
Getting
referrals from trusted friends or family members can be an excellent
way to begin your search for a gynecologist. Another great source for
referrals is your primary care practitioner. He or she already has a
relationship with you and knows some of what you look for in a health
care provider. They can be a resource and sounding board for you to
begin discussing about OB/GYN doctors with.
Now
that the first hurdle is out of the way, the next step is deciding
whether you have chemistry with the doctor. While it may seem odd to
hear the word chemistry used in the context, it is important to
remember that this person will know you inside and out. You might be
getting some of your life’s best and worst news from this person,
and their communication style, attitude, and overall demeanor needs
to be one that gels with yours.
Experience
and credentials
Finding
a gynecologist can feel like an overwhelming task, especially when
facing a complex and personal matter or a high-risk pregnancy. Your
health and that of your baby will be in the hands of the OB/GYN, and
so finding a more experienced doctor will increase the chances of
positive results. The metrics by which GYN’s are measured may vary,
depending on what country you are in, so it is important to begin
your research with nationally certified websites and databases.
Gynecologists who belong to these prestigious lists will be able to
offer you top notch care. One of the main things to consider when
choosing a provider is the overall view of their qualifications, as
this will tell you if the doctor has the necessary skills and
training to provide you with reliable gynecological and obstetric
care.
Other
questions to consider when thinking about your practitioner's
credentials are areas they specialize in, the number of patients with
your specific condition that they have treated, and the possibility
of requesting a second opinion. If you have a specific procedure in
mind, you can ask how many of those procedures they have done, as
well as the success rate and risk of complications.
Another
important factor when researching your gynecologist's background and
credentials is their history of disciplinary actions or malpractice
claims. Most doctors who run well organized and patient-centered
practices will not have these negative encounters in their history.
Claims such as these should be public knowledge on your state or
country’s health website, and you should discuss any discrepancies
with a GYN before agreeing to be treated by them.
Gender
Deciding
whether you want a male or female gynecologist is an important part
of this decision. There are both male and female doctors that are
equally qualified. This factor should not solely dictate your choice.
However, each woman has different ideas and reservations about this
choice, and it is a personal decision that all professional
practitioners will respect.
One
thing that you may consider is that male gynecologists are just as
well trained and educated as females, and if you choose to see one of
these men then your wait times may be drastically reduced. Women
OB/GYN practitioners are in higher demand, and many well-qualified
male practitioners are overlooked just because of their gender.
An
important factor to consider before choosing the gender of your
future doctor is assessing your comfort level when talking to them
about sensitive topics. Discussing issues such as vaginal discharge
may seem odd and highly awkward with certain practitioners. However,
the job of this specialist is to make sure that you feel comfortable
talking about these issues, and you should also consider that they
deal with these problems daily. The relationship you build with your
GYN will grow to encompass these taboo topics, and much more, as time
goes forward. Before this mutual respect and trust can even begin,
you need to decide on your comfort level. If you will be in anyway
uncomfortable with a male in this confidential and somewhat intimate
role, and it will negatively affect your care, then go with a female
physician. A good gynecologist will only be able to help you with the
issues that you are comfortable bringing up.
Communication
style
Communication
styles and connection are crucial, especially when it comes to
talking to someone about your most intimate health issues. Discussing
your overall health, sex, and family planning issues with someone who
is judgmental or doesn’t seem to listen is not ideal. These traits
are not indicative of a true profssional. A good gynecologist will be
able to make you feel comfortable discussing about anything, make you
feel respected, encourage any questions that you have, and should be
able to answer your questions in a way that is uncomplicated and easy
to understand.
The
hospital location and quality
Doctors
are often associated with particular hospitals and insurance
carriers. It is important to consider this when you are beginning
your search for the right gynecologist that fits your needs. Most
practices bring this up right away when you are in the office, but
you do not want to be caught off guard or disappointed that the great
doctor you found is associated with a poor quality hospital or one
that does not accept your coverage. This is both a waste of your and
his or her time.
When
you are in a new area, it is important to research the locations of
the hospitals and decide on their quality early on. The location of
the hospital is important because you will need to decide if it is an
acceptable distance to drive for your appointments and if you can get
there in an emergency situation. In order to judge the quality of the
hospitals care, you can visit and be taken on a tour, do your own
research on the hospital's website, look for on-line reviews of other
patients experiences, and ask your doctor for their opinion. A good
gynecologist will be honest and open about their opinion of the
hospitals in the area. When you are at a top-rated hospital, you can
be sure that the health care service and chances of survival are
better.
If
you are looking to find a gynecologist near you or looking to make a
gynecology appointment, please use our search function to find the
right hospital or clinic for you. You can also check out gynecologist
reviews and staff information on their Provider Pages. Provider Feeds
have real time posts, articles and newly published by the facility
themselves.
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