topic Re: serious question about doctors in Community Chat

serious question about doctors

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 12:16:48 GMT

Our primary care doctor retired and we set up an appt. w/another in his group. We were so disappointed and shocked. When we came out of the exam room the appt. sec. asked if we were ok because we were so quite. We made our next appt. Talked about it on the way home and decided he just wasn't the doctor for us. When we got home we rescheduled w/ another doc in the practice. The sec did not seem surprised. What did we not like about this doc? We thought he was too preachy,teachy and not too knowledgeable about some of our health issues. We are glad we made the decision and I am wondering if anyone out there has had similar problems?

Re: serious question about doctors

violann — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 13:53:54 GMT

Of course, I have, a few times, and so has DH. All of us need to be proactive when it comes to health care.

Re: serious question about doctors

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 14:24:02 GMT

violann, thank you so much.

Re: serious question about doctors

Still Raining — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 14:47:23 GMT

I also recently had to change PC physicians and saw her for the first time when I was not feeling well and it was a disaster. But I didn't do anything right away and then ended up needing a referral after needing some specialized surgery and having some cardiology studies done. So I just went back to get it done.

This time I was feeling well and had a wonderful visit. Not sure who was "off" the first time, but both we and they can have bad days. I am staying with her and have seen her other times.

Re: serious question about doctors

kittymomNC — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 14:57:50 GMT

It sounds like you made a good decision. It's so important to be comfortable and establish a good relationship with your doctors.

My son recently went to a new primary care doctor, who proceeded to scare him to death making him think he could have one or more serious conditions. They did blood work, and sent him for one test to rule out one problem. He almost worried himself sick (and I can't express how worried I was) for the next week waiting for the next appt. He went in, the doctor said he was okay but he needed to take a little better care of himself, eat properly, get enough rest and exercise, blah, blah. My son was shocked--he was prepared for the worst. When he told the doctor how worried he had been, the doctor asked him why he had been so worried, as though it was nothing. My son told him "because you told me I might have this or this or this", and the doctor just basically dismissed him, as though he thought why were you worried about it?

Needless to say, he has since been to a different primary care doctor and will never go back to that one.

Re: serious question about doctors

jubilant — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:02:12 GMT

Once you have had a great family doctor for many years it is hard to find one today that will compare. I have shopped around...believe me. Finally the big hospital we like, opened up a doctors office in our small town. It is so nice to drive 5 minutes and I'm there. I can even get most of my blood tests there. Sooooo convenient. I have decided to stick with this one and if I have problems that seem a bit more serious, I will use a specialist. We know which specialists are the best around here due to my Dad having so many different surgeries, my DH's health problems, and just from living here forever. Also, my DH's best friends wife is a NP for a specialist at the hospital complex we frequent so she knows who's the best and who's not....which is a great thing for us!

Re: serious question about doctors

Marienkaefer2 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:26:36 GMT

I have never had the best of luck with primary care providers. My favorite was a nurse practitioner that I had for several years, but I moved and had to change. I currently go to a Physician Asst. She's good, I know she knows her stuff. I love my GI doc (specialist). I've always had good luck with specialists. I agree that you have to be proactive and change if you're not satisfied or comfortable.

Re: serious question about doctors

ROMARY — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:47:18 GMT

I always opt for a nurse practitioner, when possible. They seem 'on top' of just about everything, with lots of common sense, too. Saved a couple of folks' lives early on who lived super+ long lives.

Re: serious question about doctors

shorelady — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:48:53 GMT

I am going to agree with one of the posters who stated that it is difficult to find a new primary care physician (or any physician) after you have had the same one for many years.

We have had our primary care physician for over 20 years. He was very young and highly recommended when we started going to him. So age wise, hopefully he will be my physician for many years to come.

I have a problem with going to a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Call me old fashioned or not with the times, but I would prefer to see my physician. My primary care physician may sometimes have a PA student or resident who assesses me and then gives the physician their opinions, etc. But I still do see my physician. That may be subject to change, but I will not be happy if it does.

I am very comfortable with my physician and have not had any problems in all the years we have gone to him. But what works for one patient may not work for another. It is up to you to be proactive about your health.

Re: serious question about doctors

Jeanhelen57 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 18:41:15 GMT

I saw a new guy twice..First shot, when I told him that my Sis dropped dead of a heart attack and I was concerned and wanted to be checked--he said "How old was your Sister?" I said "she was 63" and he said "well--age 63 is not considered young..there is no reason to check you" I though--OK...next trip: I had a tick on me and wasn't feeling well--I took the tick to our local county office to check it and when I gave this Doc the results, he said "Did that cost you money to do that?? 'Cause it's a waste of time--your insurance company won't let me do anything for you, based on this!" I said "Bye-bye!"

Re: serious question about doctors

ID2 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:19:53 GMT

My doctor of 30+ years retired a few years ago. I really hated leaving him. But before he left he sat with me and personally gave me several options of doctors he recommended. I picked one and like him very much.

Re: serious question about doctors

blackhole99 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 20:07:31 GMT

There are a lot of good docs out there, you just have to find one that suits you. My husband and I have been going to the same doc for almost 10 years and thank goodness he's much younger than we are. He gives us what we want, but will not let us run him, he knows his stuff and what he can do within his scope of practice. I would not hesitate to cut him loose though, if he didn't provide a good service.

Re: serious question about doctors

hckynut — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 21:52:28 GMT

Yep, my PCP of many years moved. Since their practice is connected to my hospital 2nd home, I decided to try another doctor there. Not for me, to put it nicely, and in 1 visit he managed to mess up my prescriptions, which I am still working to get fixed. He wrote 1 of the under the "brand name" when it clearly says "generic".

So what has cost me $25 for years? When I go the invoice from my mail order it said "$175". So far I have spoken to his office/mail order provider, and worked my way up the chain of command of the Medical Building. I finally reached a person who is in a position to get me a $150 refund and charge it to this doctors office.

The visit was in mid February and I have lost count of the number of people and hours I have spent because of this doctor. I tried a different doctor in ths same group, and while not close to my long time PCP, I think we will work out ok.

Re: serious question about doctors

Bird mama — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 22:22:41 GMT

I am lucky to be fairly healthy and understand that my health status can change on a dime. For years my gynecologist treated me head to toe. If he felt something was outside of his realm, he would refer me, but that rarely happened. When he retired, another doctor within that practice (better than starting with someone I don't know from Adam) took me on as a patient and also susbcribed to the treatment head to toe concept. Now, if there is something wrong with me, he would also refer me to a specialist.

In 2013, I found out my thyroid is out of whack. I figured, be nice to my gyno and just go to an endocrinologist so my gyno can focus on pregnant women and not bother him with my thyroid. Apparently I live in a part of Michigan that is considered a thyroid belt. More patients that endocrinologists. So anyway, I found an endocrinologist that I am not crazy about. In 2014 I went to her every 6 months and because I've established consistent blood test results, graduated this March to only having to see her once a year. I would have done cartwheels in the parking lot if it wasn't for the frozen shoulder (lol).

Health care has become such a business and unless I'm talking to my gyno, I feel like a number.

When I went to the hospital to get my screening mammogram last fall and then a follow up ultrasound, the women who checked me in asked me my primary physician's name. I told her and she said, he's a specialist. I said, yes he is very special, do you have a point? I may have been looking at her using my church lady face (I don't know), but she dropped it.

Re: serious question about doctors

sfnative — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 23:38:19 GMT

Please allow me to apologize for all that went wrong during that appointment. I have many years experience in healthcare and have gotten to know many physicians quite closely - close enough to know that on occasion I'd say to myself, "I don't want Dr. _____ within 5 feet of me."

You did the right thing by re-scheduling with another physician!!!

I had a somewhat similar situation when we retired and moved to another state mid-2013. I had to find an ortho doc who could address a metatarsal issue in my left foot. As it turned out, this doc was only interested in listening to his own voice. You know what I mean? He had absolutely no interest in what I, the patient, had to say. Finally, as I was becoming more exasperated I said, "Stop." And he just talked over me. So, I slightly raised my voice again and raised my right hand and said, "Stop, please!" He said, "What, what's the problem?" I said, "You. You've not listened to any of the medical history I told you about my foot and the previous contributing fractures. I'm leaving now and will not be back."

Get this: Then he says, "You can't go. You have to fill out this form." (You gotta be kidding.) As soon as I could put my shoes back on, I was out that door.

I was probably the first patient that ever put him in his place. We need to remember they're not gods.

God Bless - Rebecca

Edited to include: I so wanted to tell him "you're fired," but chickened out.

Re: serious question about doctors

SugarNSpice — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 00:40:55 GMT

Not all doctors or hospitals are created equal. We almost found this out the hard way and too late.

Doctors and Hospitals let their egos get in the way of what is best for their patients.

Loma Linda Hospital specialty doctors almost let someone in my family die. Had this doctor who specialized in a certain area of health put her ego away... she would have told us that the health condition of a person in our family was beyond her knowledge and Loma Linda Hospital's knowledge for proper care.

If not for our primary doctor stepping in and saying they are killing him... he would not be here today. That was almost 8 years ago. He was losing the battle fast due to the negligence of the specialty doctor that was affiliated with Loma Linda Hospital.

Thank goodness for the top 5 to 10 hospitals in the Nation and the doctors that are affiliated with them.

Re: serious question about doctors

mousiegirl — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 01:27:31 GMT

On 4/9/2015 Bird mama said:
I am lucky to be fairly healthy and understand that my health status can change on a dime. For years my gynecologist treated me head to toe. If he felt something was outside of his realm, he would refer me, but that rarely happened. When he retired, another doctor within that practice (better than starting with someone I don't know from Adam) took me on as a patient and also susbcribed to the treatment head to toe concept. Now, if there is something wrong with me, he would also refer me to a specialist.

In 2013, I found out my thyroid is out of whack. I figured, be nice to my gyno and just go to an endocrinologist so my gyno can focus on pregnant women and not bother him with my thyroid. Apparently I live in a part of Michigan that is considered a thyroid belt. More patients that endocrinologists. So anyway, I found an endocrinologist that I am not crazy about. In 2014 I went to her every 6 months and because I've established consistent blood test results, graduated this March to only having to see her once a year. I would have done cartwheels in the parking lot if it wasn't for the frozen shoulder (lol).

Health care has become such a business and unless I'm talking to my gyno, I feel like a number.

When I went to the hospital to get my screening mammogram last fall and then a follow up ultrasound, the women who checked me in asked me my primary physician's name. I told her and she said, he's a specialist. I said, yes he is very special, do you have a point? I may have been looking at her using my church lady face (I don't know), but she dropped it.

Re: serious question about doctors

mousiegirl — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 01:29:31 GMT

On 4/9/2015 sfnative said:
Please allow me to apologize for all that went wrong during that appointment. I have many years experience in healthcare and have gotten to know many physicians quite closely - close enough to know that on occasion I'd say to myself, "I don't want Dr. _____ within 5 feet of me."

You did the right thing by re-scheduling with another physician!!!

I had a somewhat similar situation when we retired and moved to another state mid-2013. I had to find an ortho doc who could address a metatarsal issue in my left foot. As it turned out, this doc was only interested in listening to his own voice. You know what I mean? He had absolutely no interest in what I, the patient, had to say. Finally, as I was becoming more exasperated I said, "Stop." And he just talked over me. So, I slightly raised my voice again and raised my right hand and said, "Stop, please!" He said, "What, what's the problem?" I said, "You. You've not listened to any of the medical history I told you about my foot and the previous contributing fractures. I'm leaving now and will not be back."

Get this: Then he says, "You can't go. You have to fill out this form." (You gotta be kidding.) As soon as I could put my shoes back on, I was out that door.

I was probably the first patient that ever put him in his place. We need to remember they're not gods.

God Bless - Rebecca

Edited to include: I so wanted to tell him "you're fired," but chickened out.

Re: serious question about doctors

OnlyShopsOnline — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 03:55:18 GMT

I have an internist that I'm not crazy about. He gets rave reviews from others in the medical profession, and has a waiting list for patients. But he doesn't "LISTEN" to what you tell him. And, the two of us have butted heads several times because I complained of symptoms for years, that he wrote off as anxiety. It turned out to be thyroid disease. Since then, he has an attitude, I think because his ego was damaged....awwwwwwww.

I have made appointments with several others over the past few years, and they were worse. I have since decided that I will use him for my annual physicals and medication management for my high blood pressure. However, our insurance does allow us to see specialists without referrals, so when I have a particular issue, I find a specialist. I have a whole list of docs now that I like a lot better.

But, you "need" a family doctor, even to be admitted into a hospital. So, that's about all I use him for.

Re: serious question about doctors

Firefly3 — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 18:32:14 GMT

I had the same problem and changed dr!