.

[Pembo]

.

 

[GlennandAnn]

Hi, Pembo. I have complete trust in both my regular doctor, and my gyne. What makes me trust both of them is the fact that they see me as a person, not just a patient. When I come in with a question or a complaint, they ask me about all aspects of my life, what's changed, what may need to change that could have a effect on my health. They are both very patient and good listeners and have used humor when dealing with me, which I value. Some of the things that I look for when searching for a doctor are:

How is the staff? Sometimes you deal with the front desk staff or the nursing staff as much or more than you do the doctor. Are these people reasonably happy and polite in their jobs? Do they treat me in the manner in which I want to be treated?

I may be in the minority with this one, but I prefer a younger doctor. I feel that younger doctors may (don't flame me, this is my personal opinion) be more up on all the current treatments, etc. I also relate better to people more of my age who may tend to talk to me as an equal rather than as a "young person".

Hope that helps, see ya on the AMC thread!!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I'm pretty much medical dependant now days and I love my drs and support staff course they deal with me on a fairly regular basis and get lots of my money so maybe thats the reason....

I have complete trust in them- because I know that they would and have sought outside opinions when they wernt sure exactly how to tackle a problem-

-em

 

[katerkat]

I don't...because I don't have one. OK, OK, don't flame me, we're in between places and it'd be difficult to change things with Tricare. However, finding a doctor, I know a lot about!

First, I find out who my insurance company lets me see. Then, I ask other people who have been - that's how I picked the best doc at the base clinic. Or, well, um, I prefer a female OB/GYN. (Just a personal thing!) So I ended up with the only female, and didn't like her. When we get to Washington, I'll be asking for lots of opinions, since we'll probably have our first kid up there.

After I start going to a doc, I judge him/her by his office staff and his demeanor. My internist was gruff, but his staff was very nice to me. I could call his nurse whenever I wanted (during office hours, of course.) Any doctor that takes the time to listen to my questions gets points in my trust book. And better still is the doc who actually thinks before prescribing. One doc just gave me the birth control pills that were being pushed that month. My second doc actually went through my symptoms and whatnot and decided on the right balance of hormones for ME.

And, if it's something major, I always go for the second opinion.

 

[Serena]

I don't know why I trust my doctor. I just do. I know I like how he listens to me, really listens. I like how efficent he is. I like how he gives me options on my care. The decision on what he prescribes for me is made by both of us. He asks questions, I answer them, and that goes the other way as well. It's amazing. I feel totally confident and not rushed, yet, he's quick.

 

[RNMOM]

Pembo,

Even though I have been living in Bay Village for 7 years now I still drive over to Beachwood to my old doctor. I have been with him since he started his practice and I trust him to do right by us. DH has found a doctor nearby but he only goes for yearly checkups. I have ongoing issues and meds that I need someone to help me with at times. So, if you really like your doctor, maybe you might stay with them.

Also, you might ask your old doctor to refer you to someone here. They often know of people and might have just the right practice for you.

 

[Pop Daddy]

yes, because she is sexy

 

[Chattyaholic]

I switched doctors about a year ago (same office, just different doctor there) and am very pleased with her. I originally switched because I was so uncomfortable with my former doctor (man) when I had to have my yearly physical. I liked her so much that I decided to stick with her.

In September when I was having shortness of breath she kept sending me for tests until we found out exactly what was wrong. I hate to think what could have happened had she not been so diligent in my care.

The office staff is great too, very supportive and friendly.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I have absolute faith and trust in my doctor. So much so that him and his family our some of our best friends.

 

[browneyes]

I have trust in my GYN (I'm still terrified to go see him though). I don't have complete trust in my GP. I'd like to find another one, but I don't want to have to drive an hour or 2 just to go to a GP.

 

[CEDmom]

I have complete faith in our doctor. He specializes in family medicine so DH, DD and I all go to him. He's personable, thorough, and accessible. I feel comfortable talking to him about anything. He's very bright and is up to date on the latest medical news. However, he has no problem admitting when something is outside of his capabilities and needs to be treated by a specialist. His office staff is wonderful and I've never had a problem getting an appointment or information. His kids are now out of their own so I'm hoping he doesn't opt for early retirement.

 

[LindaR]

Different answer here! I have complete faith in knowing MY body. When something doesn't seem right (I have pretty good health...)usually something like my hormones, I call my pharmacist (he's a compounding pharmacist) and discuss things with him. He NEVER tries to make me feel like an idiot. Then I make an appointment with my doctor. Because I stand my ground, come in armed with information, and don't want a "pill" for everything, I feel that I get treated better than alot of women.

Just last week, my doctor was trying to blow off one of the lab tests that I wanted (cortisol level) and because I stood my ground and firmly stated that I wanted that test (it's my body and I am the one who has to wear it every day), he relented and added that to the lab order.

Lots of doctors are too quick to dispense pills to shut you up and don't want to dig to discover the actual problem.

 

[Crankyshank]

My Dr is awesome. I was very leery of going to a young (33) male Dr, but he is so nice and he really listens. You can tell he still finds joy in helping others.
I've never had a problem with him not listening to me or giving me pills to shut me up. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact I don't go into his office with a know it all attitude and I also don't run to the office for every sniffle.

and he's cute too! He looks just like Jeff Corwin

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

so you think your pharmacist -- whose primary training is to prepare and dispense drugs and advise of drug interactions -- is more competent to diagnose than your doctor is?

my philospohy is -- if you're not happy with the way a cdoctor treats you, find another doctor.

my kids' pediatrician is great. I've known him for 13 years, and I've always been able to discuss things with him. he explains everything, answers all my questions.

about five years ago, what I thought was "just" bronchitis turned out to be pneumonia. I had had bronchitis twice beofre, and called the doctor who'd treated me. he was in the process of selling his practice to a younger doctor so that he could retire. since the older doctor was only practicing on a part time basis, I saw the younger doctor. he examined me in his office, then sent me to the emergency room. later, he told me I'd have to spend a few days in the hospital. but he never told me why -- I had to ask the attending physician in the ER why my doctor wanted to admit me to the hospital. while the care I received was excellent, the lack of information was horrible.

you KNOW that I've never been back to that doctor.

 

[Blondie]

Since I work in a hospital, I just asked around.

When I first started with the practice I go to, I wasn't too happy with the doctor I had chosen, didn't care for her attitude at all. Just when I was thinking of going elsewhere, she left town so I blindly picked another physician within the same group and got lucky! (he is the PCP for DH and myself)

He is one of the most compassionate and caring physicians I have ever come across. He takes his time with me, makes small talk, and he is just a real "people person." It also helps that we both own a Weimaraner (actually, he has two) so we always ask how each other's dogs are doing!

If he ever leaves town, I'm moving with him!

 

[Rajah]

I don't know. Not really. She's good and good enough to keep going to, but I have difficulty talking to her sometimes. She has an odd bedside manner that my mom can't stand, but I do like that she *listens* to what I have to say when I'm complaining about something and if I have an idea of something to try, she'll listen to the idea and usually will go for it. I think she operates under the principle that the patient knows their needs best, so unless what the patient requests is "out there", she'll try it.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have complete trust in my doctor. I switched to him when my insurance changed actually because he was the closest to my home but it turned out to be a great move. He was able to change my medications and reduce them and still keep everything in control.
BTW he is a DO not an MD and is more people focused than any MD I have been to.

 

[Pembo]

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm having a very difficult time finding someone I trust here.

 

[LindaR]

Briar Rose, in my post I stated that about the only thing "wrong" with me is my hormones.......my compounding pharmacist knows more about the bio-identical hormones than most of the doctors here in our town. The doctors always call him about this matter.

We are very rural and have a very limited amount of doctors, so its not that easy to switch.

AND, I have always been very proactive in my health care and always will be. I think everyone should be!

 

[Kitty 34]

I had the ultimate trust in my doctor but then she moved away two years ago. I still go to her office as there's several other doctors and those physician attendants who now see me but I have not developed a trust in any of them as I did in her. She was suberb!