A good relationship with your doctor and health care team is an essential part of an effective treatment pathway for people living with systemic mastocytosis (SM).
Consistent care from someone you feel comfortable with will be of significant benefit. Define your expectations of your health care provider by prioritizing the qualities most important to your disease treatment and management.
Choosing the best doctor for you
Defining your criteria for choosing a doctor is the first step to being proactive in identifying the best doctor for you. They will help you navigate the often challenging managing SM.
In addition to expertise and experience, a strong patient-doctor relationship is built on factors such as trust, reliability, communication and approachability.
Read more about SM care teams
Here are some qualities to keep in mind when evaluating the compatibility of a doctor or any health care professional. Which ones do you feel are the most important for you?
- Expertise, education, experience: Do your research and verify that the doctor has the right medical qualifications and experience in caring for people with systemic mastocytosis.
- A good reputation: Does this doctor come recommended? Are there any reviews online?
- Communication skills: Evaluate the doctor’s way of communicating. Check for active listening, signs of respect, asking the right questions and wanting to understand your individual experience of living with systemic mastocytosis.
- Attitude: Do you find the doctor to be positive, open and friendly?
- Availability and accessibility: Is the doctor on time, doesn’t have impossibly long waitlists and is easy to get to for appointments?
- Constantly learning: Does the doctor stay up to date with new therapies and approaches?
- Critical thinking: Does the doctor have a problem-solving approach? Does he or she seek personalized solutions to medical issues?
First impressions are important, but you might not find it possible to assess all these qualities in your doctor at a first consultation. Over time, however, it will become clear to you whether or not this particular doctor is right for you.
How to know when it is time to find a new doctor
Listen to your intuition. Then try to define your reasons for feeling this doctor isn’t for you. This will help in your search for a new doctor.
It won’t take long for you to realize you don’t have good rapport with your doctor, or if you’re not feeling heard, and you find it difficult to get an appointment when you need one. You may feel dissatisfied with the treatment prescribed and have questions about more suitable options.
These are all reasons to start looking for a new doctor who will be a pillar of your journey with SM.