Tips for choosing a Gynecologist who is right for you

 1. What hospital does the doctor use?

Doctors usually have privileges with a certain regional or local hospital. If you have a strong preference for a hospital in your area, check to be sure that’s the hospital your prospective doctor uses.

If you’re planning to deliver your baby in a hospital, you may be able to tour the labor and delivery facilities in advance. It could influence your decision for or against a particular doctor.

2. What certifications does the doctor have? 

Certification is an added level of education that indicates a doctor is an expert in a particular field of medical practice.

The Medical council of India and local medical council specialties provides a database of board-certified doctors you can search. 

When doctors maintain board-certified status, they are required to stay up to date on research and practice standards. Board-certification status is ongoing. It’s not a one-and-done test.

You may want to ask about your doctor’s subspecialties. Some gynaecologists do not deliver babies. Some are experts in menopause and perimenopause. Some specialize in treating cancers.

As you think about what life stages are coming up in your future, consider whether your doctor is equipped to provide the care you are going to need.

3. Who is getting good reviews?

Your co-workers, friends, and family members can be a great resource for finding an OB-GYN who’s a good fit for you. After all, they know you well, and likely have a good idea of the kind of doctor that you’d like.

Social media and neighborhood apps may also give you some valuable insights into a doctor’s personality, philosophy, and communication style.

Keep in mind, though, that online reviews may not always be as reliable as recommendations from people you know and trust.

4. Will getting to the doctor be an epic journey?

OB-GYN doctors see patients in hospital-adjacent facilities, clinics, private practices, and group practices. If you plan to drive, how long will the trip take during peak traffic times? Does the facility offer plenty of free parking? If you’ll be using public transportation, is it a complicated or time-consuming route?

Since you’ll probably go to the doctor during the workday, think about what the trip is like from your job to the doctor, too.

Finding an OB-GYN doctor close to home is getting easier with Google listings.

Being able to get to the OB-GYN is not just a matter of convenience. It’s a life-and-death equity issue since Pregnancy can be associated with morbidities.

 Sources have found that one of the biggest issues confronting these women is the lack of access to high quality healthcare during pregnancy.

When women can’t get access to high quality sexual and reproductive healthcare it endangers their overall health. This systemic problem is not just historic; it persists today also.

5. What kind of extra access might you need?

Most OB-GYN practices offices have standard business hours during the week. Does that work for you or do you need more flexibility?

If getting to see an OB-GYN is difficult during regular hours, consider whether:

The doctor offers any evening or weekend hours

You can get in touch with an on-call doctor when the clinic is closed

The doctor offers telemedicine options that will allow you to have virtual visits

The doctor offers an online patient portal that allows you to communicate with them

A 2017 research  Source found that although some people are still a little reluctant to try telemedicine, patients who do use it cite numerous advantages.

They say it saves travel time and costs, improves their communication with their doctor, and helps them achieve better health outcomes.

Dr. Ruchi Tandon is a reputed Gynecologist practicing in leading hospitals in South Delhi namely Max, Apollo and Fortis La Femme with over 14 years of experience in handling all kinds of Gynecological conditions including high risk pregnancy.