Urologists are specialists that diagnose and treat issues affecting the urinary tract and its surrounding area. They treat kidney and bladder problems. For men, they also treat issues related to the penis, prostate, seminal vesicles, and testes. For urology issues, you want only the best for your care. Your primary care provider can provide a referral, but choosing the best urologist is a personal decision to make.
Here are some tips on choosing the best urologist for yourself.
Check Your Insurance
Finding a urologist within your insurance network is practical because you would have to pay the least out-of-pocket costs. This is the very first thing to keep in mind when selecting a urologist.
Get Referrals
Your family, friends, co-workers, and your primary care provider can provide referrals to urologists. You should have a list of potential urologists after asking people you know. You can then begin to narrow down the list based on criteria. Going with a list of referred urologists helps you choose one that has been attested to provide good service. This way, you have less chances of going with an inexperienced or unprofessional doctor.
Consider Gender
If you are male, you may be uncomfortable discussing your problems with a female doctor, especially when the problems relate to your reproductive health. If this applies to you, choose a male urologist for your care. A male urologist will have a personal understanding of men’s health issues and could make you feel more comfortable.
Research Credentials and Experience
Check for board-certification when choosing a urologist. This will tell you that the doctor has the knowledge, training, and experience to provide urologic care and treatment. Other than board-certification, experience is an important consideration. Choose a urologist with at least a decade of experience, considering the greater the experience in treating a specific condition or performing a procedure, the better the results.
Check Reviews and History
Board-certification is no guarantee against disciplinary issues and malpractice claims, so you may want to research your potential urologist’s history. Healthgrades.com, Vitals.com, and Zocdoc.com are good resources for helping you find the right doctor. When checking reviews, many positive experiences with the doctor is a good sign.
Good Communication Style
The most experienced urologists may leave you feeling not so good due to incompatibility in communication styles. If you are more comfortable speaking Spanish, choose a urologist that speaks Spanish. Remember that your urologist will be your partner in achieving peak urologic health. A doctor with a lack of interest in patients and a communication style that leaves much to be desired are going to be a problem in the long run. To assess doctors’ communication styles, schedule consultations with multiple doctors before settling for one.
Male Urologist in Phoenix, AZ
Dr. Desiderio (Desi) Avila, Jr. of Ironwood Urology is a board-certified and fellowship-trained urologist in Arizona with over 15 years of experience diagnosing and treating patients with urologic issues. Dr. Avila is bilingual (speaks Spanish) and has excellent bedside manner that helps build his reputation through word-of-mouth referrals.
In our urology clinic, we treat the patient as a whole and regard every patient like family. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Avila, call the Ironwood Urology clinic at (480) 961-2323 or request an appointment online now.
