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Let's talk about doctors. I personally shouldn't start this thread for another 2 mos or so because I'm waiting on getting 2 more referrals for specialists right now, but we can get the ball rolling & I can return to post again about them. (I was a pretty seemingly healthy person, but some minor to moderate issues have started in the last year for me.)
- Do you like your dr/drs?
- What do you like or dislike about them?
- Any really unique experiences w/ any of them...positive or negative?
- Any other comments
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General Drs - I've always felt neutral about all my past drs...nothing special/unique, but not bad either. It was just a general like.
Currently, I have a new general dr & on the 1st visit, I thought I'd really like her & that this was the best dr I'll ever had. The next visit, she rushed me along a couple of minor times, even though I was describing relevant info & getting to the point as quickly as I could. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt & see how see is on a few more visits.
Pulmonologist - I guess he's good. The 3 visits I've had w/ him last yr, he gave me a good amt of time in the exam rm...40-60 min generally, so I think that's good. I think he gives adequate info. He can be a tad quick too, but I know they have other patients as like my gen dr above.
I have no unique stories personally, no one I loved or hated, etc.
I have a great doctor. I met him while he was treating my mother. He specializes in geriatric care. He is Vietnamese. I think this is important, because he is a "person of color" and doesn't have the arrogant attitude that many white doctors of privilege have.
He listens to me.
I respect his opinions and he respects mine.
When he asks about mammograms and I say I no longer get them, he doesn't try to convince me to change my mind.
I also have a Naturopath, whom I have only had a couple of appointments with, but whose advice, so far, seems to be helpful.
So, for me, it is a combination of respect, skill and knowledge that I am seeking.
With the primary care physician, he does bill Medicare and I have been told that Medicare only allows seven minutes per patient! Despite this, I have never felt rushed by him and I appreciate that.
I trust the people I have chosen to advise me on medical conditions.
So, multiple disc herniations L2 to S1, spinal stenosis at 3 levels, degenerative disc disease at L3/L4. I put up with it for decades because the first orthopedist I saw wanted to do a fusion at L3/L4. I read that would put strain on adjacent discs which were already bad, metal in my back could prevent me from getting future MRIs, plus the other orthopedist and two neurologists I saw over the years would not give me better than 1 out 3 chance of improving.
So, I put it off for decades until I retired and it got worse and I realized I was doing nothing but sitting my life away. This time I did my research. I selected Dr. Justin Park, based on recommendations from others, the fact he did nothing but spines, including tiny little nerves and spine of pediatric patients and he was located in a very well respected group, The Spine Center at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore.
First thing he did, like all the others, was order new x-rays. However, the thing he did that NONE had ever done was take x-rays front, back, side curled into a fetal position, and also with my back arched as far as I could go. When he got them, he sat down with me to go over them and told me I had good spinal stability and my alignment was fine. He said I didn’t need a fusion. I almost dropped my jaw.
He sent me for new MRIs. On my next visit he reviewed them with me and scheduled me for a two level microlaminectomy at L4-L5. I went into surgery at 0800 and was home walking around at 1330 the same day on his orders. I’m over 4 months out now and doing exercises I couldn’t before, walking and moving without yelping out loud. Within a couple months, I had pressure washed the deck, cut back about 4 years of growth out back, tore down my old library/office, painted the room and turned it into a home theater system with Dolby 7.1 surround sound. I been continuing on the clean up giving away a couple thousand books and magazines already, trashing all my old work paperwork over the years. I just doesn’t hurt to do things anymore. I feel like doing things now.
So, do your research and choose carefully. If only I had done so earlier.
My MD is wonderful. She always takes time to listen, never rushes through my appointment. She remembers what I tell her, takes a real interest, and is thorough in her exams. She isn't pushy about most things, but can be persistent if she thinks it's in my best interest. She likes to try to get her patients off chronic medications, and she does that with me every few years. It never works for me, but I appreciate the fact that she tries.
I only have one specialist, an endocrinologist. He's okay, but I don't see him very often.
Right now I am more than happy with my doctors and so is hubby. One thing I look for in my primary care doctor is someone who is pretty conservative in treatments and doesn't go into a panic with every ailment I have. I want to know, if he or she suggests a specialist there is a real reason for that. I don't mean a doctor who blows everything off, just don't like one that over prescribes or is too quick to refer me to someone else. As for specialists, right now, hubby and I have the same orthopedist. In fact hubby saw him today. We love him. He has done my knee replacement, our daughters bunion, her heal and her knee.Not only is he highly thought of he is friendly and caring. Our dermatologist does get a little carried away with freezing gun but is friendly and easy talk to. We even know all about her family. Other than that, we don't have many doctors we see on a regular basis, considering our age. I do have a cardiologist I see about every couple of years.
I forgot to mention my dermatologist. I asked the desk how long the appointments are cuz I had a list of things, and I was told "ten minutes."
My doctor came in, took a look at me and said I had "too many precancerous spots to treat." That didn't sit well with me, so I mentioned it on Next Door (without mentioning names) and the next time I was seen, she was quite solicitous.
She is also learning to respect me (or at least listen to me). She wanted to prescribe steroids and another internal RX for a skin condition and I told her I would try natural remedies, which I did and it is all working out great.
Why ask this of others? Every single person who's ever gone to a provider will have a different story that will be applicable to them and them alone. Personally I can't think of any of my providers (several PCPs and nurse practitioners, surgical oncologist, orthopedic surgeon, podiatrist, allergist, medical oncologist, radiology oncologist, PTs, dentist, dermatologist, psychologist, and counting) who didn't do what was necessary, what seemed appropriate, explain everything they advised or did, involve me in the decision, nor have I had any bad unexpected outcomes. But so much depends on me too. I have to listen to what they tell me, back it up with my own research, develop trust and work along with the provider in order to get much accomplished. My expectations have to be part of it too. I don't expect miracles...so far no one has promised one.
If something doesn't go right or you found you didn't trust them, why would you go back anyway?
Why ask this of others? Every single person who's ever gone to a provider will have a different story that will be applicable to them and them alone. Personally I can't think of any of my providers (several PCPs and nurse practitioners, surgical oncologist, orthopedic surgeon, podiatrist, allergist, medical oncologist, radiology oncologist, PTs, dentist, dermatologist, psychologist, and counting) who didn't do what was necessary, what seemed appropriate, explain everything they advised or did, involve me in the decision, nor have I had any bad unexpected outcomes. But so much depends on me too. I have to listen to what they tell me, back it up with my own research, develop trust and work along with the provider in order to get much accomplished. My expectations have to be part of it too. I don't expect miracles...so far no one has promised one.
If something doesn't go right or you found you didn't trust them, why would you go back anyway?
You are right. It is important for all of us to find the doctor we feel comfortable with as we all have a different idea on what makes a good doctor. My doctor might be great for me but someone else would think he was too relaxed of visa versa. Rarely do I hear a Dr being mentioned over and over as not good or not liked.
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