A cancer diagnosis can make your life feel completely uprooted and out of your control. High spirits and activity is a way to minimize that feeling. Oncologists in NJ recommend that taking a very active role in your healthcare’s approach can give you a lot more control and hope. The most important step is to choose an oncologist that you are comfortable with and who fits your situation. Here are some things to consider.
Collect Referrals
Referrals are the most common way patients receive information about specialists. Usually, a diagnosis is made through testing and a specialist that your general physician knows is recommended. You don’t have to just follow your general physician’s recommendations. Ask your friends, family, and your other doctors who they recommend. You want to build out a referral list that you can go through to find the best-suited option possible.
Credentials
Once a more narrow list is being determined, you want to look at the credentials of each oncologist. Take a look at their different certifications and experiences at various hospitals. You want to make sure their experience is wide enough so that they can offer a comprehensive treatment plan for you. Don’t just research the positives, but look at the negatives as well. Take a look at malpractice and claims history to make sure no issues have happened with other patients.
Gender
Gender may not sound like the most important trait of an oncologist, but it can make a big difference. You and your family should be comfortable talking about private information with your oncologist. Gender can play a huge role in that. You may feel more inclined to be more expressive depending on if your oncologist is a man or a woman. Consider this when you are looking at potential oncologists.
Hospital Affiliations
A lot of specialists have multiple affiliations with different hospitals, research centers, and practices. This can be very helpful if traveling and location are a concern. A huge network of hospital affiliations can be helpful in making sure all hands are on deck during your journey to beat cancer. Certain hospitals are better at treating cancer-related illnesses as well. Make sure their affiliations align with the diagnosis you are facing.
Insurance
As always, make sure your insurance plan covers the oncologists you are considering. It is far too expensive to pay for cancer treatment out of pocket. If you are struggling to find oncologists that accept your insurance, reach out to your insurance company and see if they can give you a database of options.
I hope this helps!