Your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) doctor may be one of the longest relationships of your life, so it’s important that the two of you can work well together. Finding the best doctor quickly is vital in order to prevent irreversible damage to your joints. It’s best to see a doctor who knows rheumatoid arthritis inside and out, even if your condition is mild. Ideally, you should see a rheumatologist near Riverside -- a specialist in arthritis.

If your family doctor suspects you might have a type of autoimmune arthritis, they will refer you to a rheumatologist, who can officially diagnose you with RA. If all goes well, you and your RA specialist will be able to communicate well, and work together as a team.

What to look for in an RA doctor

A doctor who listens

As with any other new relationship, listening is key to building trust. It's incredibly important that they take your concerns seriously, and they listen, hear you, and answer any questions you have with care.

Friendship

If you can find a doctor that takes the time to get to know you on more of a personal level, you have also gained a friend. Not necessarily your best friend, but one who remembers past conversations about your family for example, and can get caught up at each appointment. Ultimately, you should feel like you have some measure of control over your care and your health, and your doctor should not feel like a stranger to you, nor you to them.

Feelings of superiority or patronizing you may be a sign that it’s not a good fit.

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It’s important to feel confident in your care and empowered to follow your treatment plan. If you feel rushed, dismissed, or belittled by a doctor in any way, you will want to look elsewhere. Your doctor should take the time to help you better understand your RA, what to expect from treatment, and what complementary treatments might help or hurt your condition.

A few questions to ask a doctor:

• Can I get an appointment on short notice if I have an RA flare?

• How soon do you typically return calls or reply to your emails?

• Do you work with other RA doctors that I can contact if you’re not available?

Where to look for in an RA doctor

The first person who can help you locate a good Riverside rheumatologist is your family doctor, who should be able to refer you to the best and most qualified. You can also call your insurance provider or hospitals in your area to ask for a list of rheumatologists close to where you live. Someone you know who also has RA may be able to give you a recommendation, or you can visit the American College of Rheumatology website where they offer a process to find a rheumatologist in your area.

Location of your RA doctor

With today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to stay close to your family that lives out of state, or your RA that might live some distance from you. You may be able to contact them by phone or email to ask questions in between appointments, or get on a two-way video call such as Skype or Zoom. A good doctor will be flexible and be able to treat you long distance at times, or be willing to work with your family doctor as a liaison.

Be sure to ask a qualified Riverside rheumatoid arthritis doctor plenty of questions before committing to a long-term relationship with them.