Picking a New Doctor

[TerriP]

Does anyone have any advice for picking a new doctor? I am not happy with the service I've been getting from my doctor's office and I really feel it's time to move on. But I have no idea where to start. I can't exactly just pick someone from the yellow pages! I know I could ask around to friends and see who they go to/if they're happy with them...but other than that, what do I do? Is there a company or organization where you can "check up" on doctors to see how good they are?

TIA for any thoughts.

 

[arminnie]

Ask a nurse or someone who works in a hospital. One of my doctors told me the best way to find out a surgeon's reputation was to ask a surgical nurse.

When I had to have an emergency appendectomy while at WDW I sent my friend who was with me out into the hallway to ask nurses about the doctor they were bringing in to operate on me. He got glowing reviews. I was able to leave the hospital less than 24 hours later and go to Epcot a day after that.

I found my current internist by talking to someone who works for one of the hospitals. She's been great.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Defintely ask the nurses. They always have a good idea who is good and who is not. They also know which ones have a terrible bedside manner, but are excellent clinicians. Also ask the various secretaries. They hear most of the complaints about the doctors.

Friends are always a good referral source. Talk to friends who tend to think quite a bit like you (if the person you ask tends to like someone who is short, sweet, and to the point, and you want someone who will spend an hour with you, then that's probably not the best recommendation for you!)

Good luck

Jen

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Ask a nurse or someone who works in a hospital. One of my doctors told me the best way to find out a surgeon's reputation was to ask a surgical nurse.

When I had to have an emergency appendectomy while at WDW I sent my friend who was with me out into the hallway to ask nurses about the doctor they were bringing in to operate on me. He got glowing reviews. I was able to leave the hospital less than 24 hours later and go to Epcot a day after that.

I found my current internist by talking to someone who works for one of the hospitals. She's been great.

Thats a pretty good idea but as a nurse I can tell you, we have to be very careful about what we say about the doctors. Catch us out of the hospital and we could give you and earful, but while "on duty" we can't really say "oh, he sucks, don't use him". Its a slippery slope. I've lied and said good things about a doctor because a pt was getting ready to go into surgery and the family starts asking about him. Just can't go there.
Now, I just fired my PCP. He wasn't taking the time to listen to what I was telling him and was blowing me off. It really made me mad. I went to my insurance web site and started looking at the doctors who participated in my plan. Then I started making calls. I told the nurse what my problems were and how I felt I was being ignored, and needed to know if that doctor felt comfortable treating my problems. She consulted with the doctor and then called me back saying he would be delighted to see me. I went this past Wednesday and love, love love him. He sat and talked with me about everything, never made me feel unimportant and was genuinely nice. He has a patient for as long as he has a practice now. I'm hooked.
Good luck.

 

[TerriP]

Now, I just fired my PCP. He wasn't taking the time to listen to what I was telling him and was blowing me off. It really made me mad. I went to my insurance web site and started looking at the doctors who participated in my plan.

That is exactly what happened to me at my last visit. I have felt that her attention was "less than stellar" before, but this was just too much for me. I was there for my annual checkup and I also wanted to tell her about some pain I was having that concerned me. She barely listened to what I said then interrupted me to tell me not to be concerned, wrote me a prescription for pain medicine (which I threw away) and left the room. I couldn't believe I had actually been treated that way by my physician. I walked out of the office kind of stunned.

I think I will go take a look at my insurance web site and see what I can find out on there. Thank you for that suggestion.