How to Get the Most Value from Your Appointment
Your relationship with your doctor is a partnership. The better able you are to communicate your needs and understand your options, the more productive your appointment will be and the more likely you are to get the treatment you need.
Before the appointment, research your condition and the treatment options available. Write down your symptoms and their dates of onset. List the questions you want answered.
The time you have with your doctor is all too brief. A little preparation will help you make the most of it.
Accepting New Patients: Yes
What to Know Before You Go
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The Right Doctor in the Right Place
In a perfect world, the right doctor would be right around the corner. In reality, you may need to sacrifice some convenience to find the doctor who best meets your needs. If this doctor isn’t everything you’re looking for, search for nearby doctors.
Bear in mind also that many doctors work out of multiple offices. When you call to make your appointment, be sure to confirm the location.
How to Select the Right Hospital
If you should need to go to a hospital for care, you and your doctor should discuss which hospital provides the best care for your medical needs. Some hospitals may be better equipped and have expertise in performing certain procedures.
To evaluate a hospital, you’ll want to check the hospital’s experience in treating people with your condition, the quality rating they received for any procedures you need, and their record for keeping patients safe. Discuss your hospital options with your doctor to get the best possible care available.
Why Researching Your Doctor’s Hospital Is Important
Why Researching Your Doctor’s Hospital Is Important
Your doctor can only treat you at a hospital where he or she has admitting privileges. See how all hospitals are not alike and how, on average, a patient’s risk, of complications or death can be lower at one area hospital than another. Whether your doctor treats patients at one or more hospitals, you will want to compare the quality ratings of each before selecting one. If your doctor’s hospital falls short in quality, you may want to find a doctor who treats patients at your preferred hospital.
Healthgrades Hospital Quality RatingsCheck out the quality of care at the 2 hospitals where Dr. Aboagye-Kumi has admitting privileges: |
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Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
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Southeastern Regional Medical Center
The Right Doctor Begins Here
Whatever you’re looking for in a doctor, your search should begin here, with a study of the doctor’s background and professional qualifications. Make sure the doctor is board certified in the specialty most qualified to treat your condition. (To learn more about your treatment options, visit our partner healthsite, Better Medicine.)
Pay special attention to factors that distinguish this doctor from others you’re considering. Does the doctor have more experience treating your condition? Has the doctor received special honors—or disciplinary sanctions?
For more detail, use the Background tab.
- Specialties: Nephrology
- Graduated in 1990, University Of Science and Technology
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- Hemodialysis
- Peritoneal Dialysis
- See all 2 procedures >>
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- Acidosis
- Acute Glomerulonephritis
- See all 31 conditions >>
Finding the Best Doctor Who Is Right for You
Choosing a doctor is one of the most important and personal decisions you make. Your doctor is your partner in health and is there to guide you through many decisions about protecting your health, staying healthy, and coping with illness.
While a good doctor-patient relationship develops with time and is built on trust, you can ensure a good start but taking the time to find the best doctor who is right for you or a family member.
Start by creating a list of potential doctors. Ask family, friends, and other healthcare providers for recommendations. If you have a medical condition that requires specialty care, ask your primary care doctor to refer you to doctors who can work closely with your primary care doctor to coordinate your care.
With list in hand, take the time to do your research. Call each doctor’s office to see if he or she is accepting new patients. If so, ask for an appointment to meet and interview the doctor. Explain to the receptionist that you’d like a consult.
Consider the following when finding the best doctor for you:
- Doctor’s Credentials. Board certification is one of the most important factors to consider; it tells you that the doctor has the needed training, skills and experience to provide healthcare in their specific field. Also confirm that the doctor has no history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions.
- Doctor’s Experience. When you’re facing health issues, experience matters. The more experience a doctor has with a condition or procedure, the better your results are likely to be.
- Gender. It is important for you to feel comfortable with your doctor’s gender because you will need to openly discuss personal information. And don’t hesitate to ask a doctor about his or her recent training and experience specifically related to your condition and your gender.
- Hospital Quality. Consider the quality of care at the hospital where the doctor can treat patients. Quality matters to you because patients at top-rated hospitals have fewer complications and better survival rates.
- Communication Style. Choose a doctor with whom you are comfortable talking and who supports your information needs.
- What Your Insurance Covers. Your insurance coverage is a practical matter. To receive the most insurance benefits and pay the least out-of-pocket for your care, you may need to choose a doctor who participates in your plan.
Your goal is finding the best doctor who suits your needs. You want to get the best care from someone you can trust and who puts you at ease.
