Health Topics
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Healthy Living
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March 2011
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| 13 Tips to Choose The Right Gyneacologist |
| Prof. Dr. Shakti Bhan Khanna |
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In a woman’s life from adolescence to old age, there is a special place for the obstetrics and gynaecology consultant – not only that of a physician, but also of a guide, friend and philosopher. However it is very important to choose the right consultant for oneself. |
- Find the list of obstetricians and gynecologists in the area you live.
- Set your preference about wanting to go to a male or a female doctor.
- Find about the post-graduate degrees of the consultant and whether the institution from where he/she has qualified and got trained are recognised by the medical council of the place.
- Choose a consultant practicing near your residence as it is cumbersome to travel long distances, especially in case of an emergency.
- Try to get the recommendations for the shortlisted consultants, based on their skill and the reputation, from your mother, family friends, colleagues or family physician. You could even try websites of the particular hospital she/he is working. Try googling their name.
- Find out if there is any medico-legal case against the doctor for the act of negligence.
- Find out if the doctor is working all alone or in a group and at the time of need, if the doctor is on leave, who will be taking care of you. This is specially important for a women expecting a baby.
- For delivery, it is important to know the facilities provided at the institution where the doctor is practicing :
- Whether the doctor will come herself to conduct the delivery or leave it to the junior colleagues?
- Are the facilities provided for caesarean section, epidural analgesia for labour pain relief, blood bank facilities and availability of competent anesthetist at the time of need?
- How good is the neonatology unit and who will take care of the baby after birth?
- Fix the appointment with the short-listed consultants and ask her about:
- Birthing methods.
- Ante-natal exercise classes.
- Type of pain relief given during labour.
- Availability during emergency.
- Review the notes after meeting the doctor and make a decision about him/her based on these parameters:
- His/her workplace.
- Type of talk - whether pleasant, abrupt or curt.
- Soft spoken, fatherly or motherly.
- Whether he/she gave you sufficient time to ask all your questions and whether he/she explained about your problems to your satisfaction.
- Whether he/she is somebody who makes you comfortable, as the relationship between you and the doctor would be for a long time.
- Gut feeling about the trust generated in you by the doctor.
- Don’t be impressed by the looks and attire of the doctor. A simple, highly skilled, experienced doctor may be much better than a pretty, trendy, chic young obstetrician and gynaecologist.
- If you have medical insurance, find out if the insurance company will pay for the hospital’s and other bills signed by the consultant.
- Last but not the least, check the doctor’s consultation chamber, the hygienic maintenance of the place, receptionist’s behaviour, comfortablity of the waiting area with reading material, clean toilets, etc.
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Prof.Dr.ShaktiBhanKhanna is Senior consultant Obstetrics,Gynaecology and Gynae cancer Surgeon at Apollo Indraprastha Hospitals, New Delhi |
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