Doctors are often perceived as the pillars of strength and knowledge in the healthcare system. They spend years honing their skills, diagnosing and treating patients, and providing expert guidance. However, when doctors find themselves on the other side of the examination table, as patients, a unique set of challenges emerges.
One of the most daunting challenges doctors face when becoming patients is the difficulty in relinquishing control. As professionals who are used to making crucial decisions about patient care, it can be humbling, even frustrating, to entrust their own health to others. This transition can be emotionally taxing, and doctors often grapple with a sense of vulnerability they’re not accustomed to.
I’ve had to see a couple of different specialists the past few years. I had LASIK surgery in 2018 and it was one of the best decisions I made – obviously I took my time to seek out a skilled Ophthalmologist. Over the years I also have consulted with a Gastroenterologist, Cardiologist and a Sleep Medicine Specialist / Pulmonologist. While my primary care physician remains the quarterback and ultimate chief health officer for my care – on some occasions I need specialists.
Seeing a specialist can be challenging due to several factors:
- High Demand, Limited Supply: Specialists are fewer in number compared to primary care doctors. This imbalance between demand and supply leads to longer wait times for appointments.
- Referral System: Often, a referral from a primary care doctor is needed to see a specialist. This process adds to the time it takes to get an appointment.
- Insurance and Coverage Issues: Insurance plans may limit the specialists you can see or require pre-authorization, further complicating and delaying the process.
- Specialist’s Focus: Specialists often deal with more complex cases, which may require more time per patient, reducing the number of patients they can see daily.
- Geographical Limitations: In some areas, especially rural or underserved regions, there are simply not enough specialists available.
- Administrative Burden: Administrative tasks and paperwork can also contribute to longer wait times, as these reduce the time specialists can spend with patients.
These factors combined create a situation where patients often face long waits to see specialists. Efforts to increase the number of specialists, streamline the referral process, and improve healthcare coverage could help alleviate this issue.
Recently I was really pleased to see Dr Militello from Nova Dermatology for a skin issue & I thought I would feature the practice since other dermatology practices around the area seem to have a 4-6 month wait for new patients. Also, as a hospital based physician myself – I’ve come to appreciate that many patients with skin conditions are misdiagnosed in urgent cares or emergency rooms. How could one possibly get comparable care from a generalist vs from a physician who has undergone a specialized three-six year residency program.
Nova Dermatology, located in Cherry Hill, South Jersey, stands out as a leading dermatology clinic with a team of three board-certified dermatologists: Dr. Sandra Kopp, Dr. Rachel Klein, and Dr. Giuseppe Militello. These skilled professionals are dedicated to providing comprehensive care in various skin conditions.
One of Nova Dermatology’s specialized services is its Acne Treatment Center, expertly led by Dr. Sandra Kopp. This full-service clinic is uniquely focused on addressing all types of acne and acne scarring. The physicians at Nova Dermatology is also adept at diagnosing and treating a range of inflammatory skin disorders. In addition to medical dermatology, Nova Dermatology excels in cosmetic dermatology, offering non-surgical approaches to natural feature enhancement. They offer a diverse range of neuromodulators and fillers, including Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin™, Juvederm® Voluma, Radiesse®, the Restylane® collection, Belotero®, and the RHA collection, allowing for highly customized treatment plans. Many patients (male and female) suffer from hair loss, a common and often stressful condition. Their approach involves a thorough evaluation by their board-certified dermatologists to pinpoint the exact cause of hair loss, which can vary from hormonal changes to autoimmune-related inflammation. They offer an array of treatment options tailored to individual hair loss types. Additionally, they recommend using LaserCap, an FDA-cleared laser hair regrowth device that uses low-level-laser therapy (LLLT) to promote hair regrowth in both men and women, addressing various hair restoration needs.
Quick appointment availability and a commitment to personalized care make Nova Dermatology an excellent choice for anyone seeking expert dermatological services in South Jersey.