Doctor shopping?

[scottmandue]

Some of the recent threads about age and health have me thinking.

I'm 54 and taking oral meds for diabetes and my BP at times is borderline but not on meds for that.

When I'm a good boy (watch my diet, cut back the booze, exercise) my blood sugar and BP are fine.

I like my doctor, he is a great guy... problem is he has become very popular... office wait can run an hour... most often I see a nurse practitioner and not him (yes she is hot). If I call I usually get voice mail and the message rattles on about how they only take walk ins for a few hours a couple days a week and lots of restrictions on times and dates and things they can and can't do.

Anyhoo, maybe it is time to move on to a doc that isn't so popular.

So what to look for in a new MD, family? Internal? Specialist?
Education? Should I care where they went to school? Is someone who has graduated recently more up to date on recent procedures?

Hope the doctors will chime in on this one.

[Rikao4]

you really listed no reason to change..IMO
1hr wait..plan for this/and have a chat with him & staff..
but if you must..
realize it's not really going to be much different..
and your 'new guy' may favor his established pt.
mine does...

Rika

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

So what to look for in a new MD, family? Internal? Specialist?
Education? Should I care where they went to school? Is someone who has graduated recently more up to date on recent procedures?

Ask your Dr who his Dr is.

[RWebb]

Med. schools do differ but I would not worry about that (MAYBE if it was Baby Doc Duvalier College of Medercine & Surfin') -- they all have to pass extra exams (boards) for practice& any specialty

all MDs take courses to stay up on "stuff"; there is tho the old joke about the surgeon who shakes your hands to introduce himself and has the "shakes"

I generally figure that any MD in the US is more than competent.

Problems arise when:
- s/he stops caring/listening
- gets hassled by ins. co.s so much they have no time to spend on you

for a PCP/GP the best thing might be one that clicks with you, so you have good back & forth communication -- obviously not an issue for a diagnostic radiologist...

That said, the very best, most update MDs will be at major medical centers doing research and they will run half & half for "fun" - I have two friends doing that thing & one explains it like this: I have one job to support Y____ (his wife) and the kids, and the other one to keep me happy.

You can find that half & half thing or similar even in small towns. My allergist runs a research operation for example. A small town can have top MDs esp. if it is one where lots of MDs like to live. Note the high prevalence of orthopods in ski towns...

But it really doesn't matter that much.

You will want to take responsibility for your health -- for one thing take notes on any issues that come up - how you feel etc. Make sure your MD knows you are doing this b/c you are an activated patient, not a crazy person.

Your present MD is popular... why? No doubt b/c he has a really good "patient manner" - that is a good thing.

And, BTW, a NP can do all sorts of things - you don't need to see an MD all the time. It just drives up costs in the system.

[scottmandue]

Well... I'm going to go back to my doc and give him another try.

I know I have to be more proactive... when I logged my blood sugar everyday for two months and presented the log to my NP she about fell over (she was happy but very surprised.)

I guess that is what bothering me... they seem to shuttle me in and out of the office... like I'm just another number... then I get ambivalent about taking care of myself.

[emcon5]

Skinny fingers. Always look for one with skinny fingers.

[Rikao4]

like you said..be proactive..
oral meds are your second chance..
once you poke..you poke..
they cannot do it for you..
I'm sure they get ambivalent about some Pt's..
easy to do when the pt is ambivalent about his care & instructions..
Tobra can spent a week telling stories about pt who don't listen...
like you noted..
she noticed & was pleased...
smooze the front office a bit..
as they are the gatekeepers..

Rika

[Zeke]

My doctor and dentist are very popular. 4 months for an appt with the dentist, so I make them as I leave. The doc is somewhat better, but it still takes 2-3 weeks.

Neither one leaves me in the waiting room for more than 10 minutes. Make that 15 because I make a point of coming in 5 minutes early. I wonder sometimes if they keep little secret notes on your chart about your punctuality. If so, I get a brass ring.

[turn9]

Do you know any RNs, other MDs?

Ask who NOT to see for the care you need.