Community Chat

[Group 5 minus 1]

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?

[violann]

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

[Group 5 minus 1]

violann, thank you so much.

[Still Raining]

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.

[kittymomNC]

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.

[jubilant]

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!

[Marienkaefer2]

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.

[ROMARY]

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.

[shorelady]

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.

[Jeanhelen57]

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!"