How to pick a doctor?

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:31 am

I am trying to find a new PCP, because even though I really like him, he is just way too busy and extremely hard to get an appt and his hours are limited.

When I go to look at choice of doctors for PCP, how does one know who is good and what not? I wish there was a better way to tell like how many years they are a doctor...also anyone know difference between internal medicine / family physician and general practician?

blacklab · Post by **blacklab** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:53 am

Ghosthunter wrote: When I go to look at choice of doctors for PCP, how does one know who is good and what not? I wish there was a better way to tell like how many years they are a doctor...also anyone know difference between internal medicine / family physician and general practician?

A good doctor is one who you feel comfortable with, who is not afraid to say they don't know what is wrong with you, but will send you to someone who can find out, and who will spend more than three minutes listing to your problem.

As far as how long they have been practicing you can look at that two ways. If a doctor has been around for awhile you might say he has run into most problems and will know what to do, but if they are just out of school they will have the latest training an knowledge - take your pick. Any thing you want to know about them - just ask, they are only human - the same as you.

Personally I suspect any doctor who wants to cure everything with a pill and gets upset if you want to get a second opinion.

MadDoctor · Post by **MadDoctor** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:56 am

blacklab wrote:I suspect any doctor who wants to cure everything with a pill.

Depends on the pill.

Jenny · Post by **Jenny** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:16 pm

You can find out some information on physicians at webmd.com.

Easto · Post by **Easto** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 1:19 pm

Ghosthunter,

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. I became disgusted by my long time General Practician and walked out of the office the other day. I'm now searching for a new one. I think the only thing that you can do is to go out and audition different ones. It may take a bit more time but if the first one you go to doesn't feel right just move on and try the next. I had a big problem finding a urologist that I felt comfortable with after having a kidney stone attack. But I just kept searching and by the 3rd one (Doc that is) I think I found one I feel comfortable with. Yeah, it's a bit of a hassle going from doctor to doctor but in the end it pays off.

Easto

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 5:26 pm

If you know people who are staff at your local hospital, such as nurses....they will often know who's well liked and respected. A lot of people in the medical field will often know. I'm sort of lucky, my mom was an RN, worked at both local hospitals, knows a lot of other nurses..and can usually find out pretty quickly.

Also currently I'm at a home health care client of mine installing SQL for their main package upgrade...I'm friends with the administrator here...and I've asked her before. She often recognizes the Doctors names I ask, and will tell me if she thinks they're good, or not to be trusted to treat even the common cold.

To sum it up, anyone you can reach out to in the health field to ask?

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 5:42 pm

Whomever gives the best jellyfinger.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:37 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:If you know people who are staff at your local hospital, such as nurses....they will often know who's well liked and respected. A lot of people in the medical field will often know. I'm sort of lucky, my mom was an RN, worked at both local hospitals, knows a lot of other nurses..and can usually find out pretty quickly.

Also currently I'm at a home health care client of mine installing SQL for their main package upgrade...I'm friends with the administrator here...and I've asked her before. She often recognizes the Doctors names I ask, and will tell me if she thinks they're good, or not to be trusted to treat even the common cold.

To sum it up, anyone you can reach out to in the health field to ask?

Thanks YOSC

I use to have many friends in the healthcare field when I use to work in it as well..but kind of lost touch.

I guess I will just have to play emino mino moe for now and hope i get a good one and play it by ear

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:37 pm

Burke wrote:Whomever gives the best jellyfinger.

I have no clue what that even means or has to do with picking a doctor

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:39 pm

Burke wrote:Whomever gives the best jellyfinger.

There's a reason they call this month "Proctober"...

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:41 pm

Indy wrote:There's a reason they call this month "Proctober"...

I am still young luckily never had to go through those

A_COMMUNIST · Post by **A_COMMUNIST** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:44 pm

i always go the women doctor. they are oh so gentle.

need i say more?