slo’s FRIDAY 11/7 poll - Specialist Doctors

[disneychrista]

I regularly see my Gynecologist and Dermatologist. As needed I see a Gastroenterologist. Would be nice to see him more regularly since I have issues but there is only one in town and he only does procedures then kicks you back to your regular doctor.

 

[MIGrandma]

Only the dermatologist so far. I seem to have trouble with skin cancers, even though I am rarely in the sun and when I am I wear a hat (some of my skin cancers have been on top of my head). I read recently that some medications can cause skin cancers, not sure if it’s true so at my next appointment with my dermatologist I’m going to ask about it. He wants me to start a type of chemotherapy cream on my face in January.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I currently see 8 on a regular basis (at least once a year), 3 more less often. Too many.

 

[E&Cmom]

Currently 2. An optomologist as recently had cataract surgery ( both eyes done) and still have follow up in a few months with him. Also a gynaecologist who specializes in perimenopausal/ menopausal symptoms.

 

[tvguy]

Hard not to have a specialist, seems Primary Care Doctors job now is not treating patients, but referring them to specialists. Don't get me started on the WAIT to get in to see a specialist. Or the gray area between specialties, or difference in opinions from their perspective. Where one specialist asks what another specialist thinks about a health condition, and when you ask, the response is, "I don't know, that is in the other (first) Doctor's specialty, not mine.
An example. I went to the Eye Doctor in January. He determined it was time for cataract surgery. His practice no longer does cataract surgery. Referred to a cataract specialist, and had surgery set for May on one eye and June on the other. Get to the specialist, says he can't do the cataract surgery until I have a pterygium removed from one eye (my good eye). He does that surgery, but says it is too big so he refers me to a cornea specialist. Finally get in to see the Cornea specialist and had the surgery, although he said he was surprised the other specialist didn't do the procedure as it was "small". Go back to my eye Doctor who referred me to the first specialist specifically because of the size of the pterygium. Is surprised that I got sent to the cornea specialist. Anyway, the wait to get evaluated again for cataract surgery.....this time with the second specialist.......isn't until February. Who knows how long the wait will be for actual surgery. I will be lucky to only have the wait for specialists to have put my surgery off by a year.
And went in for my annual physical and my Primary care Doctor brought up a referral to another specialist that he made 5 years ago for a health situation, wanting to know why I did not have surgery. That was resolved 4 1/2 years ago with that specialist saying that situation would never be an issue.

 

[clappyclaps]

I don't see any specialist doctors currently. Currently on the wait list to see a dermatologist and probably an allergist too after that, but so far that's it

 

[hardcorestitch]

Hard not to have a specialist, seems Primary Care Doctors job now is not treating patients, but referring them to specialists. Don't get me started on the WAIT to get in to see a specialist. Or the gray area between specialties, or difference in opinions from their perspective. Where one specialist asks what another specialist thinks about a health condition, and when you ask, the response is, "I don't know, that is in the other (first) Doctor's specialty, not mine.
An example. I went to the Eye Doctor in January. He determined it was time for cataract surgery. His practice no longer does cataract surgery. Referred to a cataract specialist, and had surgery set for May on one eye and June on the other. Get to the specialist, says he can't do the cataract surgery until I have a pterygium removed from one eye (my good eye). He does that surgery, but says it is too big so he refers me to a cornea specialist. Finally get in to see the Cornea specialist and had the surgery, although he said he was surprised the other specialist didn't do the procedure as it was "small". Go back to my eye Doctor who referred me to the first specialist specifically because of the size of the pterygium. Is surprised that I got sent to the cornea specialist. Anyway, the wait to get evaluated again for cataract surgery.....this time with the second specialist.......isn't until February. Who knows how long the wait will be for actual surgery. I will be lucky to only have the wait for specialists to have put my surgery off by a year.
And went in for my annual physical and my Primary care Doctor brought up a referral to another specialist that he made 5 years ago for a health situation, wanting to know why I did not have surgery. That was resolved 4 1/2 years ago with that specialist saying that situation would never be an issue.

More like secondary doctors.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Just my PCP currently but I do work in a specialist's office. I am the MA for a neurologist who specializes in ALS and MD.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I see a cardiologist and a gynecologist. My primary doesn't think my diabetes is so bad that I need to see a doc for that; he thinks we can get it under control with the proper diet and exercise.

 

[tvguy]

More like secondary doctors.

I believe in the Medical world a secondary doctor and specialist are the same thing.