Are you happy with your Primary Care Physician?

I have never really been "happy" with any doc, except for a pulmonologist who, sadly, retired a few years ago. Basically I get into a rut, even if I don't like him or her, don't wanna deal with finding someone else who's sure to disappoint me.

Reading all the other replies, I'm actually surprised so many ppl are happy with their docs; I just assumed all professional health care sucks and my reaction isn't exceptional.
 

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Victor said:
My doctor enters everything I mention into a permanent history online.
I am not sure I like seeing it there.All doctors I ever saw are included with their notes
Going back in time. Even simple phone calls are listed.
Do you have this?
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I'm sure mine does but I'm not concerned about it. If he retires another doctor will have my complete medical records.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
My husband and I really like our current doctor . Hes from the Philippines . He’s very thorough . We saw him on our walk the other day. He was out walking with his wife and daughter. We said hi to them all.
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Filipinos are some of the best when it comes to medicine. Hubby's mother and father immigrated to the US in the late 60's when the country needed more medical experts. His mother had her own practice and became their small town's doctor of choice, When she passed away practically the entire town attended her funeral.

Also, the Filipino nurses taking care of my mother in assisted living were some of the most caring people I've ever met.
 
Yes. I have been with the group practice for over 25 years. They are still back in my former home town, about 30 miles away, but I do not go often enough for it to matter. I picked the practice initially as the PCP in the group I chose specialized in geriatric medicine. She retired several years ago, but her NP , who I often see, stayed on. And I like her too.
They have always been good to me, and answer phone calls and My Chart messages in a timely manner. Plus they do video visits if there is a more urgent need. When I had my UTI a few weeks ago, I had all my common symptoms, took an at home test..I put in for a video visit (after hours, with an on call). I got my antibiotic....though she did say if symptoms did not go away in a few days she wanted me for an in person visit and urine test.
So, for now, while I am in reasonably good health I will stay.
Plus, I have a personal care aide who comes in 3 times a week...among other things she comes with me (at my request) to all medical visits. She is also a retired LPN.
 
seadoug said:
Filipinos are some of the best when it comes to medicine. Hubby's mother and father immigrated to the US in the late 60's when the country needed more medical experts. His mother had her own practice and became their small town's doctor of choice, When she passed away practically the entire town attended her funeral.

Also, the Filipino nurses taking care of my mother in assisted living were some of the most caring people I've ever met.
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He’s an excellent doctor. He is definitely no drug pusher . He actually does his best to have his patients on the least amount of drugs possible. He’s also VERY personable. He’s probably 4 foot 10 inches in height and very mild mannered. It’s hard to be intimidated by him. Oh, another thing I like is that he is on time with his appointments which means he appreciates and respects his patients. He definitely doesn’t have a big ego.
 
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I'll share a story that I've shared before. I used to go to a private practice in which the father and daughter shared the practice. They were recommended to me. I went to the daughter (in her 50's). She was an animal lover and a lovely person. We spent most of my time during the results of my physical talking about my travel and my cats. She would just say things like "You are going to live to be 100" but never really went over specifics and just prescribed medications for anything I might catch while traveling abroad.

I was working at the time and it could take over an hour after my appointment time to actually see her. Her waiting room was always full and most were well on into their years (nothing wrong with that), but I realized she and her father were spending inordinate amounts of time with their elderly patients, just catching up and shooting the breeze. They also had all of their files in stacks of folders rather than online. It was like their practice was from the 60's.

She was on vacation one day and I had an appointment with her father. I waited an hour and a half and heard him in the next room just "shooting the breeze" with another patient. I went to the front desk and told them my time was valuable and I could no longer wait. Her assistant called me into the office and begged me to stay. I didn't.

I'm so happy now to have a doctor without a crowded waiting room, one who sees me on time and one who goes over specifics during my physical. It was nice in the 60's to have doctors with great bedside manners but that no longer fits into today's medical environments.
 
seadoug said:
I'm sure mine does but I'm not concerned about it. If he retires another doctor will have my complete medical records.
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I am stressed because she exaggerates my complaints and even includes false ones based on no good reason.
They jump to conclusions to make a false diagnosis. It is unscientific and unjustified. They are covering themselves
legally for insurance and lawyers. No such innocent conversation is possible. They are the "expert"" and patients opinions don't matter
About it. I consider finding another doctor.
 
Not really.
For a start the surgery has a stupid system whereby you can’t make an appointment in advance. You have to ring at 8am on the dot when you’re promptly told, by an automated voice, that you’re number 38 or some such in the queue. You can then either hang on forever till someone deigns to answer or press 1 to have them call back. Either way you’re then told that all the appointments for that day are now fully booked & to try again tomorrow.
This is why the hospital A&E departments are packed with waits of six hours or more for people who don’t really need the hospital but can’t get a GP appointment.
This is our wonderful, the “envy of the world” NHS these days. And it is NOT free, except for people who don’t & have never paid NI contributions or other tax in the UK.
 
Victor said:
My doctor enters everything I mention into a permanent history online.
I am not sure I like seeing it there.All doctors I ever saw are included with their notes
Going back in time. Even simple phone calls are listed.
Do you have this?
Click to expand...
Yes, and patient access to all of it. It makes things so much easier now that medical facilities affiliated with our PCP office have access to everything including diagnostics. We can authorize others to join.
 
Victor said:
I am stressed because she exaggerates my complaints and even includes false ones based on no good reason.
They jump to conclusions to make a false diagnosis. It is unscientific and unjustified. They are covering themselves
legally for insurance and lawyers. No such innocent conversation is possible. They are the "expert"" and patients opinions don't matter
About it. I consider finding another doctor.
Click to expand...
Did you not post about having your feathers ruffled because your doctor did not fudge your medical history and treatment?
 
seadoug said:
I'll share a story that I've shared before. I used to go to a private practice in which the father and daughter shared the practice. They were recommended to me. I went to the daughter (in her 50's). She was an animal lover and a lovely person. We spent most of my time during the results of my physical talking about my travel and my cats. She would just say things like "You are going to live to be 100" but never really went over specifics and just prescribed medications for anything I might catch while traveling abroad.

I was working at the time and it could take over an hour after my appointment time to actually see her. Her waiting room was always full and most were well on into their years (nothing wrong with that), but I realized she and her father were spending inordinate amounts of time with their elderly patients, just catching up and shooting the breeze. They also had all of their files in stacks of folders rather than online. It was like their practice was from the 60's.

She was on vacation one day and I had an appointment with her father. I waited an hour and a half and heard him in the next room just "shooting the breeze" with another patient. I went to the front desk and told them my time was valuable and I could no longer wait. Her assistant called me into the office and begged me to stay. I didn't.

I'm so happy now to have a doctor without a crowded waiting room, one who sees me on time and one who goes over specifics during my physical. It was nice in the 60's to have doctors with great bedside manners but that no longer fits into today's medical environments.
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'' one who sees me on time''

Rare indeed .

My last doctor here which was private practice would prance in after playing morning golf 2 hours late and that was not for me .
 
I've been going to the same PCP for around 15 years, she is with a medical network system that include a hospital and other doctors and all use MyChart, which I love...
I have checkups every 6 months with complete blood work.So yes, I'm happy with her and the network she is with.
 
Yes! Love mine. Visits are never shorter than 20 minutes and usually longer. He owns his practice so is able to spend as much time as he feels he needs with patients.
 
I have a great primary care doctor but haven't seen him in five or six years, lucky me. There is a geriatrition on staff that I see for my yearly physical. I was a bit put off when she first joined the practice because I felt they had no right to transfer my care to another physician, but I've grown to like her very much.
 
I'm entirely comfortable trusting my primary care doctor. He accepted me as a patient when my previous doctor, one of his partners, retired.
As the patient in our doctor/patient relationship, I play a big part........I take active care in my own well being.....with his guidance of course.
When I experienced an event in 2020 (an abdominal hernia) and called the practice, I was in his examination room two hours later.
I think that's pretty good medical care.
 

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