5 Things to Look for in a Successful Vein Clinic

The Right Help

Whether something is wrong with your car, your roof, or your body, it pays to work with the right expert. And this is certainly the case when you’re looking for a vein specialist to help with conditions like varicose veins, spider veins, or venous insufficiency. The difference between a positive outcome and complications could very well come down to whom you’re working with and what sort of rapport is developed.

But since not every vein specialist is cut from the same cloth—and since no two clinics are the same—it’s not necessarily easy to find the right one. Remember: you should feel no pressure to make a decision, and the doctor should be willing to answer all questions you ask. So what should you be looking for in a vein specialist and their clinic? Here are five important traits:

1. Education & Credentials

It’s essential that you’re treated by someone who is qualified to do the job, and in medicine there are many kinds of specialists. To treat circulation problems like varicose veins, you want a doctor whose training and practice have specifically prepared them for the job. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll want:

• Board Certification: Medical boards are in charge of deciding the standards of practice and training necessary to provide adequate care. Vein specialists should have certification in internal medicine, vascular medicine, vascular surgery, or dermatology. Typically, you want them to have certification by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine.
• Experience: You also want that the doctor that has actual experience and specialization in treating varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, and other related conditions. This means assessing their internship (the period of time after they’ve completed schooling and begun working in a hospital or clinic). In addition, you should ask how long the respective doctor has been in practice.

2. Commitment to Care

Beyond the expertise of the physician, you’ll also want to assess their and their support staff’s commitment to making sure the patient’s needs are met. One good measure is the amount of time and care spent on consultation; are they taking time to answer all questions? Are they patient with you? Will they be available should any issues arise? Even the best specialist is no good if they can’t put you at ease and communicate effectively. Keep this in mind as you meet with them.

3. The Clinic & Staff

It’s important to remember that the environment in which care is delivered is also very important. As you visit the clinic, keep note of the overall area, as well as how the support staff seems. Are they stressed out? Do they seem committed to ensuring positive patient experiences? Most essential is that you’re able to feel some measure of calm there. This will help ensure a positive experience before, during, and after treatment.

4. Patient Experience

Learn as much as you can about previous patients at the clinic you’re considering. Seek out online reviews, and when there, ask if they have testimonials or other feedback from previous patients. As you’re searching, see if friends or family that have had similar treatment have any suggestions. Do note that clinics themselves will likely feature the best reviews, and those that may pop up online will likely be extreme: either from people very happy with treatment, or those that had a very negative experience.

5. Insurance Coverage

It’s also important that any practice or clinic you’re considering take your insurance, unless you don’t mind paying out of pocket. The doctor will likely not be helpful in answering this, but their office manager and support staff will be well-versed in our rather complex insurance system. These experts should be able to guide and navigate you through everything and give you a sense of what costs should look like, depending on the treatment necessary.

Stepping Towards Better Outcomes

Whatever effort you place in finding the right specialist and practice for your case will pay off. And while the choice may not be easy, it’s heartening to know that treatments nowadays are highly effective in resolving vein problems and issues. So long as you’re willing to get the help you need in a careful and deliberate manner, you’ll no doubt achieve positive outcomes.

 

If you suffer from varicose veins, venous insufficiency, or any other vein problem, the team at Hamilton Vein Center is ready to help. The experts at these Texas-based clinics pride themselves in offering nothing but the best in minimally-invasive treatment. Learn more about their unique, patient-centric approach by calling their Houston office at (281) 565-0033, the Austin location at (512) 710-1114 or San Antonio at (210) 405-4707 today!