My New Doctors

[imp]

Historically, my wife & I lived in very rural Missouri Ozarks 1999-2012. Our Dr, was 40 miles away. He was a Filippino, trained in PA, a good Dr. but not a GREAT Dr. He was willing to listen, one of the points I favor. As we were nearing the end of our sojourn there, preparing to move to AZ, my CBC showed a high GGT. (Liver enzyme). He recommended I stop imbibing, get a re=check in 60 days. Well, 60 days later, we were living in AZ. I picked a PCP (Principle Care Provider) out of the book, a lady Dr. She turned out to be an Australian transplant, I went to her hoping to fulfill my MO Dr's request for a follow-up CBC. I got it. But, her "presence" during the "exam" was P.P. She spent the entire time entering stuff into her computer. All of my previous medical records were requested sent to her office.

The CBC indicated questionable results. So, I set up a visit with another PCP acceptable to my health plan. This guy turned out to be a real flake. Argumentative, resented my asking questions. He suspected thyroid trouble, asked for a thyroid panel (negative, it turned out), also an Echocardiogram, which was administered. Waited. 6 weeks, nothing. Called. Run-around. 6 months later, I had still heard NOTHING about the echo. Good thing I was not dying, eh?

Picked another PCP. Year later. He walked in to the exam. room, a bear of a man, introduced himself as "Hi, I'm Ken". During our conversation, he revealed some things medical which I had never considered. Fasting before a CBC. He believes fasting introduces artificial conditions, not everyday blood conditions, thus cholesterol readings taken after fasting do not reveal everyday blood conditions.

I like this guy! He sits and listens to me, without interrupting. Then assesses. He calls himself an "Old time town Doctor". It is now time to go back; various afflictions are troubling me. The first Dr. I have ever looked forward to going to see! imp

 

[Kadee]

I have been seeing the same GP since 1988, he recently moved to another practice due to the large house which was used for the surgery being demolished to make room for a freeway( Road) ..Thank goodness I was one of the few patients he decided he could still see from the old practice ,(where he moved to he already had an established practice as well) He always takes his time and listens to me. I live two hours drive from the city where he is, but the very few times I go to the doctor a year, it doesn't worry me traveling to see a "good" doctor. The small country town where I live doctors ,only stay a year or two untill they get their approvals to practice in the city.

 

[Ameriscot]

Glad you got a doc you like, Imp. I've been here 15 years and one doctor retired after I was here about 5 years. Then I had a different one for about 7 years, and he's now retired. So now there are two more doctors, one of which I like better than the other. I don't go to the GP very often though. I just pop in once a month to get my prescriptions for allergies. I think the nurse has been there the entire 15 years.

 

[Lon]

I am happy with my docs. A super Chinese Primary Care doc that listens, an outstanding Indian Oncologist, a right on the ball fairly young (55) Cardiologist, and finally a my long time Dermatologist.

 

[imp]

Interesting post Imp. I don't like my doctor, he brushes me off all the time. It is like he is on a short time schedule.

Recent discussion about seeing medical help, suggests doctors SHOULD listen, then advise. All too often, they are "time-burdened", given a specific allotment per patient. Happened to my wife, her doc suddenly stood up, saying her 30 minutes were spent!

Both our problems here, now, are the fact that we cannot choose the exact doctor we want to. The healthcare provider issues lists of participating doctors; we must choose one from the list, knowing nothing about his/her credentials. I happened to get two who were poorly suited, IMO, for their profession. Part of the problem is, undoubtedly, me. It's just the fact that, trained as an Engineer, I seem to need absolute understanding of just about everything going on in my existence. That includes medical jargon and typical "Professional Double-Speak", most of us have encountered, I think. IOW, I am a tough customer. Can't change that, except to croak. That'll happen soon enough. imp