Dr. Todd Minars joined his father’s dermatology practice in Hollywood, Florida in 2002, and since then Minars Dermatology has experienced substantial growth in medical, laser, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Here, he talks about the importance of finding a good dermatologist, and what you need to look for before deciding on who to hire..
A good place to start is looking for someone who is a board-certified dermatologist. To do that, start with the American Academy of Dermatologists’ website. They only list dermatologists who are accredited, and can help you find someone within your local area.
Beyond that, it’s good to see some sort of credentials beyond just the fact they are board-certified. You might want to find out where they went to school and what kind of training they have. It’s also nice to see they are part of professional societies, and are on staff of the local hospital.
I think that the best thing, however is word of mouth. Ask other people who they like, and who they would recommend. If someone you trust has had a good experience with a specific dermatologist, there is a good chance that you will too.
Saying that, I think that is helpful to think about the three components which I believe make a good doctor. They are:
- Smart doctor: Your dermatologist should be a smart, capable doctor who knows what he is doing and will give you a correct diagnosis. That is the hardest thing to evaluate, however, if you are not a doctor yourself. One shortcut there what might be to ask a doctor you trust to recommend a good dermatologist to you.
- Good office: Your dermatologist should run an office in a well-organized, friendly and capable manner. You could have a great doctor and have a horrible experience if the office is run poorly. You want an office where the patients are seen on time and where you are not spending two hours in the waiting room. Where the facilities are clean and organized, as you do not want them losing your chart. And where the staff is nice, so when you get to the front desk they do not just grunt and motion for you to sign in. One thing to pay attention to is how you are treated when you first call on the phone. That is an excellent way to get some sense of what the staff is like. Listen to how knowledgeable they sound, and how many times the phone rings before they pick up. It annoys me when a doctor’s office closes for lunch when people who work need to call at that time. It’s basic stuff like that which makes all the difference.
- Excellent bedside manner: You need a nice, respectable doctor with a good beside manner. There are doctors who are smart but they are like tyrants. They have tempers and they do not look up from their chart when you see them, they do not respect your time and they do not call you back when you call and leave a message.
Apart from checking credentials, finding a good doctor who is capable and competent, respectful and courteous and has a well-run office is important. These are all things that you can somewhat evaluate by speaking to people who have been to the office before you, and can relate their experience to you - good or bad.
If you are looking for a competent dermatologist, ask friends you trust for their recommendation or inquire at your general physician’s office. It’s important to find someone both competent and knowledgeable, who is also pleasant and has a nice bedside manner. Find a dermatologist you deserve.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
