Finding a General Doctor

[Rikter8]

How did you find your MD?

I've had really shitty luck finding a decent doctor.
The last one was so-so, but mis-diagnosed my fathers cancer.

The current one hands me his PDA and says "Type in your symptoms"
My left arm from my elbow to my pinky is tingling numb. Pinky, ring finger to my elbow. Started intermittently, but now solid numb and tingly.

I've got some stuff going on, and I need to find a good MD. Does anybody know the right way to select a quality physician?

 

[Dave NoCal]

Rikter,

This can be difficult. Even the most skilled and knowledgeable physcians may have trouble listening. Or the relationship may just not work for reasons that are beyond your control. My first suggestion is to see if you can get recommendations from people whose perceptions seem valid and maybe have somethings in common with you. For example, I prefer thoroughness and have generally found internists to be more so than family practitioners. Some people object to some things that go with thoroughness, like being more carefully examined and having more tests. So you need to consider your priorities and what you are comfortable with. Some physicians can be judgemental about sexual matters and so you may want to try to get a sense of the attitudes the physician has.

All that said, the two best doctors I have had I got through almost luck. In the first case, I called a well-known and respected internal medicine practice and was "assigned" to their new associate. He was totally great and would still be my doctor if it weren't for the 2500 mile geographic move I made. My current doctor is a family practice doc (I know, I know) who was locally known to aggressively treat Lyme disease, which I correctly thought I had. He too has been great. He is Seventh Day Adventist and I just asked him point-plank how he felt about treating gay men. His answers satisfied me and I have had no complaints at all about anything.

The main thing these two doctors have had in common is that they are young. It's my opinion that younger ones tend to be less authoritarian and listen better. Because my primary doc is Seventh Day Adventist and practices at an Adventist hospital, I have seen several specialist who attended Loma Linda University, the Adventist university with a medical school in Cali. My experiences with these physicians have been very positive and I do think the university they attended matters because attitudes, along with skills, are taught.

All of this probably helps not at all. Good luck in this important search.

Dave

P.S. does this mean you are giving less thought to relocating to another part of the country?

 

[ericbythebay]

I asked friends and went with one that was recommended.

What part of Michigan are you in? My brother is an M.D. in Grand Rapids.

 

[Rikter8]

P.S. does this mean you are giving less thought to relocating to another part of the country?

Dave, thank you for the reply - it does help.
I have found that the older ones are more set in their ways - and that's that. I had one oriental doctor that seemed very concerned and in tune to what I was saying. His practice suddenly dissapeared though, which worried me a bit.
Yes - I am still considering relocating. I haven't found much yet.
Still looking to find something better.
(Off topic...but I got an undercover e-mail that suggested I won't be there for the long term business plan)

Eric - I'm in Central Michigan - Bay City/Saginaw/Midland area but willing to drive an hour or so if need be. Grand Rapids is quite the haul unfortunately.

I thought about calling one of those physician referral services, but what you get is an unknown. I just wasn't sure if I was going about it all wrong or not, and how everybody else finds a doc.

 

[beachbum1971]

Ask friends/coworkers who they go to. Don't settle. Best of luck finding a good one!

 

[Dave NoCal]

I agree with beachbum that asking others who they go to and what they like about him/her is a good approach, especially if you don't have specialized medical needs. Another factor to consider, although sometimes difficult to figure out, is how well connected the physician is within the medical community, in terms of making referrals. For example, I was seeing an older physician in his 70s, whose colleagues he knew well were mostly retired. For immediate medical needs I have gone to a local qalk-in clinic and have generally been pleased with the care I have gotten there. However, I am usually seen by physician's assistants and it seems they don't have the clout to get me seen quickly by a specialist when one is needed.
Good luck with the job search.
Dave

 

[nudeyorker]

You have been given very good advice so far. I got lucky. I met my doctor at a dinner party. He is the best doctor I have ever had and we have become friends also.

 

[Gaydoc]

I am a doctor, and yes, it's very tough. 2 good options, which I personally have used. Call the Dept. of Medicine at a local teaching hospital, explain your situation, and ask for a referral. (You are going to get the best people that way - the staff knows who the local bozos are, and who is really good). Or ask friends you trust who they use. Believe me, the latter is my best source of referrals. Good luck. I can't help you-I'm in Georgia