Finding a doctor can be a daunting task.  This is someone with whom you will need to build a deep and rather personal relationship, and for whom the patient must have respect and trust.  Often times, people will find a doctor by way of a referral from a friend or family member.  Other times people conduct a search online or in the phone book.  Some popular sites to search for a physician’s credentials include www.healthgrades.com or www.vitals.com.

These are both very effective ways of finding a physician.  A combination of credentials, insurances accepted, distance from home, and recommendations from trusted sources should all be taken into account when finding a doctor. Other things to keep in mind are the hospital affiliations for that doctor. You will want to select a doctor who has admitting privileges into a solidly ranked hospital in case of an emergency. Finally, it is wise to double check a specialist with your insurance company to ensure that the doctor accepts your insurance.  However, choosing a specialist, such as a Vascular Surgeon, can be a bit trickier if you don’t know what to look for. At our vein center in Morristown, NJ, we find that most of our patients have come by a referral from a primary care physician or Cardiologist who noticed that the patient is displaying symptoms of varicose veins or vascular disease.  However, varicose veins are often a condition that goes undiagnosed by primary care physicians.  It is up to the patient to determine whether or not the discomfort or pain in the legs or the appearance of the veins is significant enough to warrant a visit to a Vascular Surgeon for a duplex ultrasound and proper diagnosis of venous reflux.  So how do you know if the local Vascular Surgeon is right for you?

Similarly to finding a primary care physician, when looking for a Vascular Specialist, it is important to get feedback from others who may have had a procedure performed at the practice.  If you don’t know anyone who has had veins treated, searching online for testimonials can be helpful. In addition to the directory websites above, there are other resources for finding a specialist. Specialists such as Vascular Surgeons have gone through extensive training beyond their medical degree in their field of specialty. Most specialties have associations that board-certify these physicians within their specialty. For a Vascular Surgeon, you will typically want to find someone who has completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery and who is board certified by an organization such as the American College of Phlebology. 

A Vascular Surgeon should also be board certified by the American Board of Surgery. In the field of diagnosing vascular disease, a new certification has recently been established.  This is the Cardiovascular Credentialing International Registered Phlebology Sonographer (indicated as RPhS after the MD).  This certificate ensures that you will receive a thorough diagnostic exam.  It is important to have such an exam in order for the Vascular Surgeon to determine the best course of treatment for varicose veins or other vein disease.

When you are on your quest to find a doctor, be sure to check for his or her experience, licensures, location, hospital admitting privileges, location, insurances accepted, and most importantly, schedule a consultation to meet with a physician to establish a rapport before you undergo a procedure. Making sure you are comfortable and able to communicate openly will help ensure a successful outcome.