CHOOSING an obstetrician-gynaecologist (ob-gyn) is an important and deeply personal decision. Your ob-gyn may care for you during some of the most vulnerable and significant moments of your life — from your first gynaecological examination and pregnancy to fertility challenges, surgery, menopause and beyond.

Qualifications are essential, but a good doctor-patient relationship involves much more than certificates on a wall. You should feel confident that your doctor has the appropriate expertise, listens to you, explains your options clearly, and treats you with dignity.

Here are five important factors to consider when deciding whether an ob-gyn is right for you.

1) Consider the doctor’s experience

Experience matters, particularly when you are dealing with a complicated pregnancy, fibroids, infertility, endometriosis, abnormal bleeding, or another condition that may require surgery.

Ask whether the doctor regularly manages your particular condition. A doctor may be an excellent general obstetrician-gynaecologist but may have greater experience in certain areas such as high-risk pregnancy, fibroid surgery, minimally invasive procedures, fertility assessment, pelvic-floor disorders or cosmetic gynaecology.

Years of practice is important but experience is not measured by time alone. It also involves the number and variety of cases managed, continued professional development, and the doctor’s ability to recognise when another specialist’s opinion or assistance is required.

A confident and ethical doctor should be comfortable discussing their experience and answering reasonable questions about the treatment being recommended.

2) Look for the appropriate clinical or surgical skill

Experience and technical skill are related but they are not exactly the same. If you require a particular procedure you should determine whether the doctor has specific training and demonstrated competence in that area.

For example, if you are considering fibroid surgery, ask how frequently the doctor performs that type of operation and what surgical approaches may be available. You should also ask about the expected benefits, potential complications, recovery time, and alternatives to surgery.

A skilled surgeon does not simply recommend an operation. The surgeon carefully determines whether surgery is necessary, selects the most appropriate procedure for the individual patient, and explains what can realistically be achieved.

No responsible doctor can guarantee a perfect outcome. However, your doctor should be able to explain the procedure honestly, discuss the risks, and answer your questions without becoming defensive or dismissive.

3) Pay attention to empathy and compassion

Women often consult an ob-gyn about highly sensitive concerns, including painful intercourse, infertility, pregnancy loss, sexual health, abnormal bleeding, body image concerns, and fear of cancer.

You should not feel embarrassed, judged or hurried when discussing these matters.

Empathy means that your doctor makes a genuine effort to understand how your symptoms are affecting your life. Compassion means that this understanding is reflected in the way you are examined, counselled and treated.

A compassionate ob-gyn should listen without interrupting unnecessarily, respect your privacy, and explain each step of an intimate examination. Your concerns should not be dismissed simply because test results appear normal or because another person considers the symptoms minor.

Clinical knowledge treats the condition but compassion helps to care for the whole person. You deserve both.

4) Evaluate the front office experience

The front office team is often your first and most frequent point of contact with a medical practice. Although even well-run offices may occasionally experience delays or busy periods, the overall experience should remain professional, respectful and organised.

Consider how telephone calls and messages are handled. Are appointments scheduled clearly? Are you greeted respectfully? Is your personal information treated confidentially? Are fees and office policies communicated appropriately?

You should also observe how the team responds when you have a problem. Professional front office behaviour should not be rude, dismissive or careless with sensitive medical information.

The staff’s conduct often reflects the culture of the practice. A doctor may be highly competent, but consistently poor communication or disorganisation within the office can negatively affect your care and overall experience.

5) Assess communication and accessibility

Accessibility does not mean that your ob-gyn must be personally available every hour of every day. Doctors may be in surgery, delivering babies, attending emergencies, or seeing other patients. However, the practice should have a clear and reasonable system for handling urgent concerns, follow-up questions and test results.

Before leaving your appointment you should understand your diagnosis or the possible causes of your symptoms, the recommended investigations, your treatment options, and the next step in your care.

You should also know whom to contact if you develop a problem after treatment or surgery. If your doctor is unavailable there should ideally be guidance on whether you should contact the office, another member of the medical team, or the nearest emergency department.

Good communication is especially important when receiving abnormal results or making a major decision. You should feel comfortable asking questions and, when appropriate, requesting time to consider your options or obtain a second opinion.

Trust matters

Finally, pay attention to how you feel during and after the consultation. Do you feel heard? Were your questions answered? Did the doctor explain your options rather than pressure you into a decision? Were your values, fertility goals, and personal preferences considered?

Not every excellent ob-gyn will be the right fit for every patient. Different patients may prefer different communication styles, office environments and approaches to care.

You should never remain with a doctor simply because you are afraid to seek another opinion. Equally, changing doctors should be based on thoughtful consideration rather than a single, unavoidable delay or misunderstanding.

The best doctor-patient relationships are built on trust, honesty, respect and shared decision-making. Your ob-gyn should have the knowledge and skill to manage your condition but should also make you feel safe, supported and involved in your own health care.

Choosing the right ob-gyn is not only about finding someone who can treat a medical problem. It is about finding a health-care professional and practice that will care for you with competence, empathy and compassion throughout the different stages of your life.

Dr Daryl Daley is a consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist with special interests in fibroid care, women’s health and cosmetic gynaecology.

Dr Daryl Daley.