How to REALLy find a doctor.
May 29, 2009 4:25 PM   Subscribe

Looking for a (way to find a) good dermatologist in North Texas.

The "recommend a doctor" feature on my insurance company's website, the local medical school's (UT Southwestern) website, and non-affiliated ones don't tell me anything at all, and when they do the rating seems to be based on how much time was spent in the waiting room.

I got the (school) email address of the former head of dermatology at UTSW and current editor of some journal of dermatology and emailed him, asking. I figure he's about the best possible person to ask, but he hasn't replied, and I don't know if that might mean that he doesn't use the school address at all anymore or during the summer, or if that is the kind of request that doctors in that position get spammed with and would just ignore.

All I want is the best dermatologist, or even better, acne specialist who practices within a half day's travel from D/FW, TX. I have excellent out-of-network coverage, so all I want to know is who is the smartest doc out there. How do I find out? Does one of you know?

I don't want any advice about the acne. I've heard it, whatever you have to say.
posted by cmoj to Health & Fitness (3 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Often the local glossy magazine will feature a "best doctors" issue. D Magazine has one. There are three dermatologists mentioned.

You might also contact the dermatology department at UTSW, explain what you are looking for in a physician/what your issues are, and find out who they recommend. Doctors practicing in an academic medicine setting can be more aware of cutting edge therapies and current best practices than docs in private practice.

Your primary care doctor, if you have one, may know who is considered the top specialist in this area. It is worth asking, if you haven't already.

Ultimately, you may have to do some trial and error to get the right physician for you. Even if one particular dermatologist is "the guy" for acne, his style or approach may not work for you.

Acne sucks.
posted by jeoc at 7:55 PM on May 29, 2009


Ask people you know. They may not have had acne issues themselves but may know someone who has. This is the kind of thing that people like to share information about, and they'll be touched that you sought their help with a personal matter.

I'm sorry but I can't resist: Whatever remedy/ies the doc prescribes, stick with it/them.
posted by lakeroon at 7:37 PM on May 30, 2009


I have not had the best luck with D Magazine's "best doctors." I won't go into that here as it was a different type of doctor, but please take that magazine's recommendations with a grain of salt.

My insurance company's website has internal ratings and that seems to be reasonably helpful. After moving to Dallas from Michigan, I found a general practitioner via www.healthgrades.com and that has worked out great so far.
posted by getawaysticks at 12:19 PM on June 1, 2009


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