OK, so I haven’t been to the Doc in over 10 years. I’m a late 20s male and have some concern over some slight symptoms, but for the most part, I need to establish a regular doc, and at least a check-up (duh).
So when I just pulled up my online provider directory, I made an appointment with a general office closest to my apartment. The receptionist wasn’t exactly rude, but she wasn’t very nice either, that’s for sure.
After I hung up, I immediately began to question my process for selecting that office. It’s in walking distance from where I live, but that probably shouldn’t count for anything.
What better way could I go about this search? Feels like I’m making a random, uneducated guess. Much too important a decision to just feel like I should be doing that for…
I am a professional in my early thirties. No one is ever rude to me these days…except medical office receptionists. I talk to lots of them because I have a family. I am pretty sure that many of them graduated summa cum laude from the International Preparatory School for Cunts. That includes some that serve doctors that are literally among the best in the world so it doesn’t mean much about the quality of the office or doctor. I don’t know where they get it.
The other strategy is to ask friends, family, and maybe coworkers about good doctors. Their tastes won’t always match yours however. I have had fairly decent luck reading doctor profiles in directories and online. You can learn gender, location, sometimes the medical school, and age that way.
Most of those PPO providers have an on-line version of the directory that has a little educational background synopsis, what languages are spoken, specialties, etc to help you make an informed decision.
Once you get in for your first appointment, check out things like how long you actually wait, what their payment policies are, what his bedside manner is, how much time he actually spends with you, and how he responds to questions. If he doesn’t cut it, keep shopping. There are good doctors out there (even though they’re extremely hard to find, if you ask me).
I’m stuck in the middle. God knows I’ve had to deal with enough medical office receptionists, some of them friendlier than others, but I’ve also worked in a medical office, sometimes getting stuck alone on the phone. She probably was being a jackass, but she may just have been harried. It could have been more briskness you heard than rudeness.
As far as finding a new doctor, ask your friends for a recommendation. Just make sure you ask more than one person. cher3’s suggestion is also excellent. My family is full of doctors, and I’ve found most of my own doctors through them.
-Lil
Don’t overlook the value of Google. I recently assisted a friend with some medical issues, and ended up having to Google one of her doctors. Imagine my surprise when I found a Web site where people were commenting quite specifically on this doctor, her bedside manner, and the quality of her care. Give it a shot – you never know what you might learn.
In any case, the best test of a doctor is how comfortable you feel with him or her. Find out from your provider what the rules are regarding switching (some limit the number of times per year that you can switch), and take advantage of them if necessary. A few years ago I decided that I needed a new doctor, and saw one for several months before deciding that she really wasn’t right for me. I switched to a different doctor and am much happier. A good doctor can make the difference in whether you seek appropriate help for problems, follow through on care recommendations, etc.
Another reasonable request is to ask for an appointment just to meet the doctor. Sounds weird, but it’s nice to have your clothes on when you talk to someone you’ve only just met! Find out which hospital he/she practices at, and what his/her opinions are on any medical issues that are of importance to you.
This (or your first visit) will give you a notion of things like how reasonably appointments are scheduled – do you wait until noon when you have a 10 a.m. appointment? How are emergencies handled? Is it a group practice? If so, will you always see the same doctor? How does the doctor respond to being asked questions about treatment or meds? Under what circumstances are antibiotics prescribed? For colds and viruses, or only for verified bacterial infections? (If the former, do yourself a favor and make it your last visit.) Do you get buried in medical jargon or get an explanation you can understand? Does he/she actually listen when you talk, or does he/she get impatient?
Don’t hesitate, if things don’t quite suit you, to try another doctor. When you ask your friends and co-workers for recommendations, be sure to ask why they like the one they do. For example, some people love a fully detailed explanation of everything. Others just want to be told what to do.
Yeah, that would be my guess. In any case, I wouldn’t judge the doc by how the office staff acted, since the doc is most likely too busy with patients to be hovering around the front office supervising them all that closely. I’d keep the appointment and see how you feel about the doc once you’ve met him/her.
My HMO is notorious for referring me to docs who are not taking new patients or don’t match (I’m not old enough for a geriatric medicine person). Luckily our hospital has a “find-a-doc” resource and they know who is a new doc who is looking for patients. After having three primary care physicians on my card who I never met (six-month waiting lists and the like), I finally got connected to one who I like and is available.
But for routine things like ear infection, x-rays, etc., I go to the walk-in clinic at the other hospital.
I’d keep the appointment and see how you feel about the doc once you’ve met him/her.