There are easy-to-follow ways to make one’s dermatological visit go smoother and quicker
Visiting a state-of-the-art dermatological facility has become quite commonplace. In 2018, an impressive 16.04% of people aged 18 to 29 visited a dermatologist, while 12.91% of those between the ages of 30 to 49 did so. A full 15.73% of those aged between 50 and 64 reported visiting a dermatologist as well. (1) New innovative procedures are being introduced on a regular basis, and many young professionals are now looking to get some cosmetic work done to bolster their career. This means that the roughly 8,000 to 8,500 practicing dermatologists in the United States are kept quite busy. (2) A patient’s time with a medical doctor is precious, so Dr. F. Victor Rueckl of Lakes Dermatology of Las Vegas offers some helpful tips to make one’s appointment go smoothly.
One suggestion that is recommended is for the patient to write up a list of questions and concerns about why they’re visiting the dermatologist before they go to the appointment. This allows the patient to fully discuss the situation with their doctor and eliminates any time wasted when a concern is forgotten during the consultation, which results in the patient having to go back and question their doctor about the forgotten topic. 42% of dermatologists spend an average of 9 to 12 minutes with a patient while 30% spend an average of 13 to 16 minutes. (3) Any disruption could cause other scheduled appointments for the day to be pushed back.
The patient should also bring a detailed list of their family medical history, allergies, and any medications that are currently being taken. Dr. F. Victor Rueckl of Lakes Dermatology also recommends the patient being fully honest during the visit. If a patient does not fully understand what the doctor is saying, they should speak up and let the doctor know so any future misunderstandings, which always leads to time being wasted, are avoided. This honesty should also include the patient fully disclosing every scrap of information about their condition to the dermatologist, no matter how embarrassing. Medical professionals are not mind readers.
Another tip for making a visit to the dermatologist, such as Dr. F. Victor Rueckl of Lakes Dermatology of Las Vegas, go smoother is for the patient to do their homework on the treatment they are receiving. An example would be if a procedure is likely to cause some bruising, it would behoove the patient to avoid blood-thinning agents in the week beforehand in order to minimize such effects. This understanding of the procedure should also include fully knowing possible side effects and estimated downtime, if there is any.
Patients should make sure that their insurance information is given to the dermatologist’s staff as early as possible. Many clinics now accept insurance information via fax and email. A patient should also be aware if their insurance actually covers the procedure they wish done and the amount of any possible deductible. Ensuring that the clinic has the necessary insurance paperwork beforehand allows for the visit to go more quickly as there is no need to fill out forms at the doctor’s office itself.
Dr. F. Victor Rueckl of Lakes Dermatology notes, “There are quite a few ways that a person can make sure their visit to the dermatologist goes smoothly while also saving some time. Items like having your insurance information submitted beforehand, bringing a written list of concerns, and having your medical history and current medications information on hand all help to ensure there are no bumps in your road during your visit. If you’re coming in to Lakes Dermatology for treatment of a skin condition, bringing in pictures of your affected skin can help as symptoms may subside on the day of your appointment.”
Dr. F. Victor Rueckl adds, “One tip I give to all my clients is to have a realistic expectation of what any procedure will provide. There is a lot we can do to make a person look healthier and younger, but we can’t make you look like you’re a 20-year old college student again. One last suggestion I offer to stave off any disappointment is to not schedule a procedure on the day of a major event you wish to attend. If you’re going to a school reunion or wedding and you’re having a Fractora treatment to improve your skin tone, then you should schedule your appointment at least a week prior so that any redness or swelling will be gone by the time of the event. Some procedures will have an effect, such as bruising or redness, that requires some time to fully heal. Overall, these suggestions are made in order to maximize the patient experience in terms of quality care and safety while reducing potential wasted time.” (4)
References:
1) https://www.statista.com/statistics/228530/people-who-used-a-skin-doctor-dermatologist-usa/
2) https://fsdds.org/about/statistics/
3) https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2018-compensation-dermatologist-6009653#24
4) Quote from Dr. F. Victor Rueckl of Lakes Dermatology of Las Vegas
