Skin cancer is a common problem among people today. It is also an area of healthcare that has been undergoing change over the last few years. The number of new cases diagnosed each year continues to rise, and this trend shows no sign of slowing down. It seems that there is no end in sight for skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.
So, how do you choose the best skin cancer clinic out there? How do you know that the doctor who works at the clinic is the best at his job? Is it possible to find a skin cancer specialist who is highly experienced and knows exactly what he’s doing? The answer to all these is SunDoctors Australia. It is an expert skin cancer clinic with a network of clinics in Melbourne. They are equipped with the state of the art technology to offer the best treatment to the patients.
How can such skin cancer clinics be a one-stop destination for all your skin cancer treatment needs? What to look for before availing yourself of their services? Let’s have a look in detail.
Expertise
Do they have experience with skin cancers or other types of malignancies? What kind of training did they receive? Are they board certified by any professional organization? Ensure the presence of all these attributes before hooking up with them.
Personal History & Experience
This will be important because your particular case may require specialized care. Make sure that they’ve worked on similar issues before and can offer insight into their own experiences as well as theirs. Ask if they ever had a patient die from melanoma while under their watch. Also, ask about their personal history; were they treated for skin cancer themselves? Did they develop skin cancer later in life? Have they seen patients go through the same thing again and again due to poor follow-up after initial treatments? Be aware that these things don’t necessarily disqualify doctors but rather help determine whether they can provide special attention to you.
Communication Skills
There needs to be open communication between both parties involved during all stages of the treatment process. Your health provider must communicate clearly with you so that you understand everything being done and why. They need to answer any question that comes up along the way. You’ll want someone who takes their time speaking plainly with you when explaining medical procedures and options available.
Availability & Accessibility
Who can see me immediately? Can I get appointments whenever I’m free without having to wait weeks or months to schedule one? When scheduling tests like biopsies, ultrasounds, MRIs, etc., ensure that you can easily access those services and schedules.
Aftercare & Support
A great dermatologist won’t stop treating you once you leave the office. They will continue to monitor your progress via phone calls or emails throughout your treatment plan. Finally, if anything goes wrong, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact the doctor directly.
The Bottom Line
Professional skin cancer clinics should be imbibed with the aforementioned qualities. They should offer patients free access to care, have multidisciplinary teams, provide information about risk factors, and give honest advice about treatment options, among others.