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Do you have a School of Medicine close to your area?
No. I'm in Colorado Springs. I think at least part of the trouble I'm having is just that the number of doctors here isn't keeping up with the growth in population. Also, this city is very spread out.... most of the new medical facilities have been going up on the north side of town to serve the new neighborhoods that are popping up like mushrooms, but that's nowhere near where I live.
I think a lot of it is luck. I don't place a lot of stock in referrals by friends, because how many people know how to tell the difference between a good doctor and a bad doctor? Most people don't. They know they get along with the guy, and he makes them feel listened to, and he prescribed a good antibiotic when their kid had an ear infection, so bingo - he must be a good doctor! But there's a lot more than that that goes into being a truly good doctor, and most people never have occasion to find out until something comes up that's unusual or difficult to diagnose or treat. I swear, most people spend more time and effort trying to find the best possible mechanic for their car than the best possible doctor for themselves.
If you don't have children, one thing you do want to do is try to find an internist, as opposed to a general practitioner. They tend to be much more thorough in my experience, and more comprehensively trained. I lucked into getting the best doctor I ever had back in the 90s when my regular doctor was sick, and one of his colleagues filled in and took his appointments that day. I was so blown away by the night and day difference between the two, I switched doctors right then and there. Frank remained my doctor for 16 years, until I moved out of state.
Then, I lucked into another incredible internist down here when we had to spend 2 years "doctor shopping" for a new PCP for my wife, who is disabled and multi-morbid. We went through about a half dozen completely mediocre space-fillers until we finally located one who had good reviews about an hour's drive from here. I went with my wife to her first appointment, which took over an hour, and on the way out, I told my wife, "OK, I found a new Frank." Trouble was, she wasn't taking new patients by the time I made the switch a few months later, but she made en exception because she liked me and I was the spouse of a current patient. So I got in, and feel extremely fortunate.
Best advice I can give is look at internists first, don't be afraid to keep trying new doctors until you find one who just stands out head and shoulders above the rest, and try to focus your search on doctors who are highly reviewed by their own peers. Doctors know who the good doctors are. Don't settle for just whomever the insurance company sends you to - there's nothing more important than your health, and when the chips are down and you have something that needs expert care, a good doctor makes all - and I do mean literally all - the difference. Keep banging away until you find the right one.
In your shopping, you'll often find that the ones who are most highly reviewed are the hardest to get in to see - that's a good sign. Ask if they have a waiting list, and try to get on it. And don't feel shy about calling every week or two to see if they're taking new patients. It's your health - fight for it.
Last edited by Mr. In-Between; 12-05-2015 at 01:01 AM..
Might try Peak Vista Community Health Centers. They are a Federally Qualified Health Center and are involved in the patient centered medical home concept. They have multiple locations in the Pike's Peak region.
I am getting ready to go on Medicare in 6 months and my present doctor will not accept Medicare . I have only been going to him about 2 years as my old doc ( for 20 years) got rid of patients to become a boutique doc ( pay $1600 on top of co pays) Both Docs don't like the payments made to them as a result of Obamacare and the cut in medicare payments. Therefore, I will be looking for another doc again! UGH
I am getting ready to go on Medicare in 6 months and my present doctor will not accept Medicare . I have only been going to him about 2 years as my old doc ( for 20 years) got rid of patients to become a boutique doc ( pay $1600 on top of co pays) Both Docs don't like the payments made to them as a result of Obamacare and the cut in medicare payments. Therefore, I will be looking for another doc again! UGH
You may want to consider going into a Medicare Advantage plan in lieu of Medicare.
MA plans reimburse the doctors at a higher rate. My doc would not take Medicare but he does take new patients with MA.
No. I'm in Colorado Springs. I think at least part of the trouble I'm having is just that the number of doctors here isn't keeping up with the growth in population. Also, this city is very spread out.... most of the new medical facilities have been going up on the north side of town to serve the new neighborhoods that are popping up like mushrooms, but that's nowhere near where I live.
Since Memorial Hospital is now part of the University of Colorado Health System, you could search there. Plus, you get your foot in the door and establish yourself as a patient in the event you need to go into Denver to Anschutz for any sub specialized care.
Welcome to the system.
One thing I really miss about USSR health care. 10 minutes to see a doctor.
OP's problem is not just finding a good doctor. It's ramming through the system to even see one.
Unfortunately I have no good solution though am health care practitioner myself. I'm also trying to stay away from doctors. It's the easiest way to get onto a being over treated spiral.
Find a good PA. Many of them are immigrants and worked as doctors in their countries. We have 2 PAs as friends and he was an oncology surgeon and she was family doctor back there. They are better doctors being PA than many titled docs.
You'll need a personal touch one as large practices time 15 minutes per person and what can they really do in that little time? Getting into small family practice with old doc is likely best bet.
Very sorry you have to live with this.
Best treatment as supplement is healthy diet and exercise. That always works and costs little.
Might try Peak Vista Community Health Centers. They are a Federally Qualified Health Center and are involved in the patient centered medical home concept. They have multiple locations in the Pike's Peak region.
Thanks. I did look at their web site, but I don't think this is the right fit for me. Their mission seems to be focused on providing medical services for the indigent (a number of their clinics are co-located with other institutions that provide services to those populations). I have insurance and money to pay out-of-pocket expenses so I don't feel like I should take up space there when I could well afford to see a "regular" doctor.... if I could only find a "regular" doctor who's taking new patients and can give me an appointment....
Through the years my PCP has has PAs working for him. He also has one who maintains a clinic in a nearby town. She is the only one who doesn't seem to have an ego problem. I've wondered why it seems to happen with the PAs who work in his office. The last one happened to take an appointment I had with the doctor and made a follow up for me to see her, which I did, although I didn't like it. When she came in the room, her behavior was what I didn't like. She spoke to me in a little sing-song voice, the way some adults speak to children. I asked her if she thought I was mentally challenged and she claimed she didn't, but I think she did. I told her I wanted to see the doctor, not her. She left the room and shortly he came in. Nothing was said about the PA, but I've not seen her again, nor any other PA.
He doesn't overbook and when I've had an emergency, I can usually see him that day. I know that PAs are well trained, but my illness is more complicated and I don't trust a PA to have great knowledge about it, when many physicians don't.
At an earlier time when I had occasion to see another PA, when he introduced himself, he said he was highly trained in the field. I, trying to be funny, said, "That's nice. I'm also highly trained in my field." Which is true. He obviously didn't like it and I was sorry I said it, so we were off on the wrong foot.
I hesitate posting this as I don't think I've described it all very well, but, I'm posting it anyway.
I always ask for a referral from someone when moving to a new area. it's a tough one though. good primary's are SO tough to find.
ETA: if you have another Doctor, like a specialist, ask him or her for a referral.
We also had a tough time finding a Doc accepting new patients in our area. I am actually seeing a DO, which is fine by me, but she' retiring in a few months. And the search begins again.
I recently read an article that the US has a serious shortage of primary care doctors.
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