Doctor Frustration Rant

[AppleTree]

Gosh, I feel like I have to let out some steam on this issue. Why is it so hard to find a good doctor?? I do have a good Gyno at least, but I need a primary care doctor who...cares. I know what they look like, because I've had one before, actually she was a nurse practitioner, she was thorough and excellent. She moved a few years ago. I THOUGHT I had a good doctor recently, but she left her practice for health reasons after I was with her only six months.

So I got a recommend for another family practice doctor. After making an appointment for my annual/physical..filling out the two page form of all my medical info and "concerns". I got in there and the nurse took my blood pressure. The doc came in and did the breast/pap...spent about 10 minutes fiddling on her computer trying to arrange for a medication refill... then said well, this is only a "preventative" check up, if you want to discuss any of your concerns you will have to make an appointment to return next week after we get your blood work in. Really??? I didn't have any life threatening concerns by far, just four or five issues to discuss...she didn't want to even look at or talk about ANY of them today.

Now, in the past when I've scheduled these appointments they leave enough time for the doctor to talk to you about your health history, etc... nothing like this was done at all. I walked out of there so frustrated and sad.

Is this the new normal for doctors now? They only want to talk about one thing at a time, and then they want you to make another appointment for each and every thing you want to talk about??? I understand their time limitations, and I see they can't spend two hours on every patient. I am not working right now, what about people who have jobs they can necessarily take off several times a month to see a doctor??

Okay, enough rant for now. And once again I'm back in the search. I have had friends who have recommended their docs, but usually if they are good, they aren't taking any new patients. There's gotta be a better way.

[ny biker]

I've had the same problem, particularly with any kind of regular checkup -- they want you to make another appointment to discuss specific problems. This has happened with my primary care doc and a dermatologist.

My pulmonologist and allergist will sit and talk and answer questions.

I've assumed the problem was related to insurance, since they're being paid a set amount for the visit.

[thekarens]

It's true that often insurance is a big part of it. My insurance pays 100 percent of negotiated fees for preventative. If the doc even hints of a diagnoses it falls into a different category and is subject to a $1600 deductible. It pretty much sucks.

[AppleTree]

Huh, if you come back, you have to pay again, even if it's just a small co-pay. Maybe you should keep looking.

That is what it seems like to me anyway. "Instead of dealing with all your petty concerns within the confines of an hour long visit, we want you to make two or three 20 minute appointments so we can bill your insurance for more money".

Will definitely ramp up the search.

[AppleTree]

It's true that often insurance is a big part of it. My insurance pays 100 percent of negotiated fees for preventative. If the doc even hints of a diagnoses it falls into a different category and is subject to a $1600 deductible. It pretty much sucks.

Yes, yes it does. I guess to the bean counters it makes sense though. :-/

[Catrin]

Yes, I've noticed this with my doctor as well, it might be the "new normal" I get plenty of time with him, but they do limit the number of things we address. I like him, this is the only thing I don't care for.

[Dogmama]

Glad I found this.

I recently changed PCP's and had my initial visit. It was thorough in terms of reviewing health history but when I got to specifics, it was "make another appointment." Really??? I DO believe my time is just as important as the doctor's time!

[mariacycle]

I have had friends who have recommended their docs, but usually if they are good, they aren't taking any new patients.

Sounds about right Out of my family I was the only one that magically made it past the waiting list for my doctor, who is extremely highly rated in the area. She doesn't take any insurance but for me it has been worth it to have a doctor that cares so much about me and constantly asks about the health of my family in order to adjust my plan. The only advice I can give is to pour through ratings/reviews online and in local magazines to try and find yourself the best doctor you can afford.

[Skippyak]

I get my bloods done before I go in the the appt (preventative). I have an ANP but my DH sees the dr at this practise. Seems to work OK. I only go to preventative visits though and don't have any conditions. I just don't see the point of being there without the blood results though. I will ask for them to request anything that is not standard but there is nothing out of reasonable testing though. I see my results before the doc does so if there are any issues I can discuss those.

[lauraelmore1033]

My Dr (who is in your area, I think) is VERY thorough and visits usually take more than a half an hour and cover every little concern I could possibly have. I was actually surprised when I first started seeing her, because my previous DR was the sort that made me wait for an hour + and only spent 5 minutes with me. Of course, things could have changed since the last time I went in, but I could give you her name, if you were in the market to switch...

[AppleTree]

My Dr (who is in your area, I think) is VERY thorough and visits usually take more than a half an hour and cover every little concern I could possibly have. I was actually surprised when I first started seeing her, because my previous DR was the sort that made me wait for an hour + and only spent 5 minutes with me. Of course, things could have changed since the last time I went in, but I could give you her name, if you were in the market to switch...

Lauraelmore, if you don't mind sending me a PM, I would LOVE to get her name! Hopefully she will take a new patient. Thanks a bunch!

[Irulan]

Glad I found this.

I recently changed PCP's and had my initial visit. It was thorough in terms of reviewing health history but when I got to specifics, it was "make another appointment." Really??? I DO believe my time is just as important as the doctor's time!

I just changed PCPS. WHen I made the initial appointment I made it specifically stating I had some concerns I wanted to review ( a hand injury and my meds) in addition to get acquainted. No additional appt required.