How to go about locating a new primary care doc? (Denton: insurance, school)

[DWinTX]

I have been fortunate to be healthy for the most part for my first 56 years. Have not needed to go to the doctor much. A few injuries and bouts with severe colds or flu here and there are about the only reasons I went. But at my age I know I need to start getting regular check ups.

I've had the same PCP for many years, but his practice has grown from one doc to about thirty and I think he's more preoccupied with running the business than caring for patients. Plus I have moved and he's further away. I have no clue how to go about finding a good doctor. What resources have you used when faced with this? I suppose most of them are on the web these days.

Also, I have heard that internists are better for more complicated issues. I do have one minor, albeit nagging, problem that my current PCP could never figure out. Should I focus on internists?

I am between Lewisville and Denton if you want to give me some specific recommendations. Don't mind driving a bit, but I don't want to go more than 15-20 miles if possible.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by DWinTX

I have been fortunate to be healthy for the most part for my first 56 years. Have not needed to go to the doctor much. A few injuries and bouts with severe colds or flu here and there are about the only reasons I went. But at my age I know I need to start getting regular check ups.

I've had the same PCP for many years, but his practice has grown from one doc to about thirty and I think he's more preoccupied with running the business than caring for patients. Plus I have moved and he's further away. I have no clue how to go about finding a good doctor. What resources have you used when faced with this? I suppose most of them are on the web these days.

Also, I have heard that internists are better for more complicated issues. I do have one minor, albeit nagging, problem that my current PCP could never figure out. Should I focus on internists?

I am between Lewisville and Denton if you want to give me some specific recommendations. Don't mind driving a bit, but I don't want to go more than 15-20 miles if possible.

Sorry but welcome to what PCP/ground floor internal medicine is going to be like from now on.

[bencronin04]

Originally Posted by EDS_

Sorry but welcome to what PCP/ground floor internal medicine is going to be like from now on.

Yup, all primary care seems to be going that way not just internal medicine. Some of the most wealthy dentist that are my dad's colleagues are just great managers.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Check with your insurance first, too see who is included. Then go to their websites. Big-name collleges? Medical school? Where did they do their residency/fellowships? What proessional associations do they belong to?

As it happens, my PCP is from India but she did her residency at the Mayo Clinic. Good enough for me!

[kretsch]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

Check with your insurance first, too see who is included. Then go to their websites. Big-name collleges? Medical school? Where did they do their residency/fellowships? What proessional associations do they belong to?

As it happens, my PCP is from India but she did her residency at the Mayo Clinic. Good enough for me!

Just be on the lookout when it comes to where a physician trains where it can be misleading since a lot of community based hospitals may have a "university affiliation" and they may list the university as where they trained rather than the actual hospital which makes a difference. For instance, the Mayo Clinic actually operates 3 different internal medicine residencies in Rochester (the flagship program) and one in Arizona and Florida

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

She was at Rochester.

[Walter Benjamin]

I recently found that there are a lot of websites out there that let people rate their PCPs. Any one rating might be meaningless, but when there are dozens and dozens of strong reviews, it might mean something...

Not claiming that this is the best way, but this is what I did...

* Print out insurance company's list of nearby doctors who are in-network.
* Give a star for those on D Magazine's "best doctors."
* Record average reviews on various websites, give stars for highly rated ones.
* Give a star for membership in professional associations.
* Give a star for welcoming and friendly website.
* Give a star for if you are looking for a male/female or certain cultural background.

Then I started calling those where I put down a lot of stars on the printout. I mean, who knows, but I had no idea what else to do.

[bencronin04]

Originally Posted by Walter Benjamin

I recently found that there are a lot of websites out there that let people rate their PCPs. Any one rating might be meaningless, but when there are dozens and dozens of strong reviews, it might mean something...

Not claiming that this is the best way, but this is what I did...

* Print out insurance company's list of nearby doctors who are in-network.
* Give a star for those on D Magazine's "best doctors."
* Record average reviews on various websites, give stars for highly rated ones.
* Give a star for membership in professional associations.
* Give a star for welcoming and friendly website.
* Give a star for if you are looking for a male/female or certain cultural background.

Then I started calling those where I put down a lot of stars on the printout. I mean, who knows, but I had no idea what else to do.

That's not a terrible idea, though those D Magazine ratings have a lot to do with contributions for advertising....

[TurtleCreek80]

Are you on Facebook? If so, ask your FB friends for recommendations and then check their list against your insurance provider. I see people asking all the time for doctor/dentist recommendations.

If no Facebook, then ask coworkers or other friends for a recommendation.

I don't trust the medical review websites, personally. I'd rather take the recommendation of a trusted friend or coworker than complete internet strangers.

[Pete53FR]

Try the VA if you think its bad with Insurance Medicine. I have been waiting for over two years to even see a specialist one time.