Doctors are the ones who are responsible to provide us with the right treatment so that we get cured completely and fast. As choosing the right doctor can be difficult you should do some prior research about him/her. These are the factors that you should look for while you go through a doctor’s profile so that you make the right choice.
1. Education
It is inevitable that every doctor is educated. By the word ‘education’ what we mean is his/her expertise, alma mater and the degrees he/she has acquired during his/her practice in medical schools and colleges. The more qualified a doctor, the more is his expertise in his specialization. Here are some common medical degrees that a doctor has:
- MBBS: MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. The degree is awarded to students who have graduated from medical schools or universities to enter the profession of a doctor.
- MD: Stands for Doctor of Medicine. It is one of the two doctoral degrees acquired by physicians.
- M.Ch: In Latin, the full form of M.Ch is Magister Chirurgiae which stands for Master of Surgery. The degree is bestowed on those who have acquired an advanced qualification in surgery.
- D.M: D.M is the degree that is acquired when the doctor goes for some specialization in medicine after earning M.D.
- M.S: Surgeons who after acquiring M.Ch goes for higher studies in surgery and surgical procedures earn the degree of M.S.
2. Specialization
While choosing a doctor, you should check his/her specialization. This bit of information lets you know which doctor you should consult for your ailment. Whether your medical condition falls under his/her specialization at all. Also by knowing the doctor’s specialization you come to know about the array of treatments he/she provides.
3. Years of Experience
While looking for a doctor, the years of his/her experience should be taken into account. Since, over the years, he or she has treated several patients, as an experienced doctor he/she is able to provide you a more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment than the one without.
4. Hospital where he has worked
While you check the experience of the doctors, also check in which hospitals he/she has worked other than the one he/she is working at present. Check the profiles of the hospitals as well as the designation he had.
The reputation of the hospital, be it a multispecialty, super specialty or tertiary hospital is important because of its infrastructure and patient care facilities. Search over the internet about the past hospitals he has worked in and go through them to get an idea about the hospital and what people are saying about them. You can also go through the media coverages of the hospitals and the doctor to know about the facilities, treatments and both of their reputation in the medical world.
5. Patient feedback
If you are skeptical about a doctor’s capability to treat you or cannot trust him/her even though he is experienced and qualified then the best thing you can do is to read or hear what his/her previous patients have to say about him. Patient feedback or testimonials not only give you an insight on his treatment procedures but also lets you know about his diagnosis.
6. Papers published
Well experienced, qualified and skilled doctors continue their research even after they start working as professional surgeons and specialists. So, till now if you thought medical journals were too heavy to go through, then you should rethink. It is because to choose your doctor wisely, you should know what he or she has researched upon and written on till now. This gives you a vivid idea about his expertise in his field reassuring you to trust the doctor.
7. Doctor’s Team
If you are going for any surgical treatment, then it is best to go through not only the profile of the surgeon but also his or her team. As surgery is a collective medical treatment, it is necessary to cross check the qualifications, experience and expertise of the doctors in his or her team as well.
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