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The only real downside I see with the Universities (other than parking and wait time!) is that I was billed for both 'hospital' and 'clinic' fees - I believe because all of the labs are carried out by the hospitals? I could be wrong - but I do know that for both Duke and UNC, I was billed twice for each visit, from two different entities, and was told, 'that's just the way it is'. Great doctors, though....but happier in general with private practices.
Actually it's not really being billed twice for the same thing. it's being billed for the different services. If they have their own lab (at the hospital) then this is no different than you going to a private practice and being billed by an outside lab which is is often where they send their tests to. I experienced similar at Wake Med and it's not a university hospital.
The OP's question is open-ended. Perhaps they meant to ask if we would like to receive our Primary Care from a university or private practice? As it seems some posts are comparing this.
Both UNC and Duke now offer Primary Care (with on site labs) in the community setting so there is no need to go to their university hospital which really is used for more serious conditions rather than basic medical care, check-ups, etc.. However, if the OP wants to know if we prefer to see our specialists at a university hospital or within the community, it all depends on what condition you need treatment for as to which university hospital you should go to. Some private practice specialists are as good or better than university staff, some aren't. For breast cancer, I'd go to UNC or Duke. Brain tumors, Duke hands down.
Multidisciplinary care perhaps, but not a lot of collaboration going on in our experience. Something more than access to a patient's chart is necessary for quality care, in my view. We have had to undertake to pass information and questions between practicioners. (Again, personal experience - not intended as an indictment of the entire system.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by sunnie741
Plus UNC does have nurse navigators to help pts understand what the next step is and who to call etc.
Have never once encountered or heard of this role.
Last edited by CHTransplant; 11-16-2011 at 08:29 AM..
Both UNC and Duke now offer Primary Care (with on site labs) in the community setting so there is no need to go to their university hospital which really is used for more serious conditions rather than basic medical care, check-ups, etc.
At least in Chapel Hill, a lot of basic care is provided on the main health campus (not the hospital itself).
I think it depends on for what. If you have an interesting condition or something that one of the universities excels at -- then head there. If it is run of the mill then I'd go with a great private practice.
I found excellent care for my Mom's pulmonary condition at UNC Pulmonary clinic -- after trying private practice and Duke which both were less then helpful for her condition. I cannot speak highly enough about UNC's Pulmonary clinic. Same practitioner seen over a course of many years. Same front desk staff. Very easy to get things scheduled once 'in the system' -- to get in the system was a 3 or 4 month wait IIRC. When she started having arthritis symptoms, they hooked her up immediately with an appointment at a UNC clinic and also received excellent care - same MD, same staff over time, excellent care.
Eye care at Duke Eye Center was most excellent -- but services were accessed and arranged by a private practice eye guy -- not sure if that made a difference.
Maybe you have someone else paying your bills? I don't.
No, I don't have someone else paying my bills. We pay an arm and a leg for excellent insurance and have for many years. My husband has not used one dollar of his Medicare benefits and he is 72 while I am eligible for only 2 months. Besides Medicare is available to those of us over 65 and we have paid into the system for many years as well.
I get a shot in my eyeball every month and have for 3 years. Each visit and injection costs close to $5,000. Finally we get some relief with Medicare.
I've used both private practice and Duke here. Duke for the kids. Private Practice for me & hubby. But mostly recently Duke for me for breast cancer. Here is my personal experience. My private practice primarily care doc is easy to get an appointment with, friendly, takes the time to explain things. However, their office staff is a bare bones and in my opinion lacking.
In retrospect I am not please with the private practice group I was referred to for my mammogram. I have since learned the machines can be different. This particular organization did not detect the bc even though a lump was felt. Told me to monitor it. I came back 6 months later and the lump was bigger. They still could not determine it was bc. So I had a biopsy done by a private surgeon. It came back as cancer. Was a 5 cm tumor. Was a little ticked the mammogram did not detect something that big. Private practice surgeon was good. But he was not aware of all the bc trials at Duke and UNC. Turns out I would have been a good candidate for a trail with better results if I had chemo before the surgery. I did not know this since the Surgeon said to do the surgery then go on to chemo/ radiation.
During surgical recovery time thanks to some C.D folks and their infinite knowledge I picked going to Duke and got the name of one of their best bc docs. Love me some C.D help!!! I love that my Duke Doc is very current in all the latest research and what is going on with trials. She laid out the different types of treatment done for my condition at the main cancer hospitals in the country. She explained why she goes with the particular one she recommended me and not the other. I agreed w/ her research based decision and have been happy with her. I see her or a NP every time I go in for chemo treatment. They answers all my questions and I can reach them for questions between treatments.
Duke is huge. But the parking isn't so bad. I like that for all the pre-test I had to go to basically one location. I have also since found that Duke's Mammogram machines at the hospital are better imagining quality.
I have not had any problems navigating the Duke system. And have found that the radiation folks, PT folks, chemo folks, and test folks all communicate well with each other. They also have an excellent patient support system.
While I like my primary care doc, I will question where she is sending me for referrals and referral tests more in the future. I know private practice docs usually refer to other private practice docs.
BTW, my kids have always gone to Duke Pediatrics and we have always seen a Duke Doctor... not a roving fellow. If they are sick we don't always see their primary doc, but I would say that all (except one doc) that we have seen we have had a very good experience with. And I figured that not every doc is good personality fit with the child or parent.
Good luck.
Edit: I know that my radiation doc and oncology doc had conversations outside the chart notes about my care and order of treatment. Oncology doc said she would usually have a conversation w/ Duke Surgeon in these cases too. FWIW.
PDXmom's post reminded me that we have had very good care from our UNC pediatric practice (which has been more like a private practice in terms of location and operation).
No, I don't have someone else paying my bills. We pay an arm and a leg for excellent insurance and have for many years.
I'm not referring to "insurance" ( a whole other discussion).
I'm referring to a simple measure like having a menu presented to you when at a restaurant and BEFORE you choose what item you'll have if anything at all.
During surgical recovery time thanks to some C.D folks and their infinite knowledge I picked going to Duke and got the name of one of their best bc docs. Love me some C.D help
Yay!! So happy things worked out so well for you!!!!!!
At least in Chapel Hill, a lot of basic care is provided on the main health campus (not the hospital itself).
Yep, I had thought to mention that but didn't
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