What you describe is the normal. Only clinic doctors have walkin hours. What most do have is a few appts set aside each day for people who have emergencies or things like sinus infections. Otherwise you shouldn't need to see a gp more than twice a year unless they are changing a medication and need to see you in person sooner.

Having all of your reports sent to her is also standard care. It lets her monitor what is going on and maybe pickup on interactions between specialist. For example an ob/gym might give you one script that would interact with something a neuro would give you. But most of us forget to mention things like that because it doesn't seem relevant, also it helps to monitor some patients who are trying to doctor themselves and will go to multiple doctors to get similar scripts because they "know better" what works for them. This is very dangerous and doesn't really help the patient.

Finally personality...well for me it's important that I feel comfortable telling my gp anything .. I mean anything, I'm lucky to have found a doctor like that now. I see her every few months, usually for sinus or throat infections or pre surgery. I've never had to wait more than a day for an appointment. And if I needed to speak to her I'm sure she would call me as soon as she was free. Not something to abuse but a nice safety net.

Since you have already changed meds I would give her a try. Give her six months to a year. If you aren't happy you look for someone new. And keep in mind that there may be things she tells you that you don't like but it's not her job to do what you want, it's her job to treat you with all of her knowledge and experience.

I always interview new PCP as in the past we moved to different states etc.

My first thought is, are they sitting down and listening to me? Do they ask me questions specifically on how I feel, what I would like to see done and if they will make referrals to other physicians if I want another opinion. Do I get a copy of the visit or is it online that day. What about medication refills. Here the pharmacies call in unless a paper script is required.

All my physicians want the notes from the other disciplines and that is to be expected. No one wants a surprise. If I want to be seen more frequently what are the rules? Can I call the NP, PA or nurse for questions and answers.........

In the long run I love 3 of my docs. My neuro is completely competent and now listens after we had a little chat. Is he my fav? No ,but I have decided I don't need to even like them if my needs are being met and he is doing this with my brain tumor.

This is what has worked for me and my children, now young adults and they also use these same parameters.

Good Luck!
Joanne

Megan,

(((((((((((Hugs)))))))))). I will tell you what I look for in a GP and perhaps it will help you. I look for both brains and bedside manner. Your GP is someone who typically facilitates the care of all the other doctors so you need to develop rapport with them and feel comfortable. I say first impressions mean alot! If in your gut you don't like her or feel right keep looking.

The first visit is very important. The doctor should take time to take a careful history, shake your hand, make eye contact, and perhaps throw out suggestons and methods of treatment you haven't heard before. There shouldn't be a rush to order a slew of testing immediately unless you are gravely ill. It takes time to develop a relationship with your doctor. Office hours should be accomodating to your lifestyle and you have to trust your GP. Once you decide upon a GP get your other doctors to fax your records to him/her so there is ongoing communication between all of them and understanding about what is being prescribed.

Bottom line--there are many excellent docs--fair to partly middlin, and bad ones. I hope you are able to find an excellent doc. One of the best ways is word of mouth. Go on the internet and read what the patients have to say about their visit with them. Either that or call a hospital and ask the nurses who he best doc is for what subspecialty...they will tell you because they see what happens to their patients. Best of luck to you...hope this helps!!! ((((((((hugs)))))))))))

hi there megan,
I agree with Beth I also think a doctor has to be accessible. If they will not see you without knowing what your there for then how does that help you if you get a bladder infection and you need to rush in ASAP. I know doctor don't have time to hold hands and show empathy anymore. but a little bit of Huanism would be nice. after all who was there doctor when they were young. I can see having a practise that has no walk ins but if thats the case then are you to have three doctors one for the walk ins , one for emergencies and one for the basic needs. What evr happened to one fantastic doctor. I lucked out with one. but she is so over worked and stressed out that I notice the quality of the visit changing. My doctor used to pay attention and anser you question now I have to repeat because her mind is else where. So I say keep this one but by all means look around and interview your doctor. you have every right to interview them to see if they fit into your life stlye and quality of skills for your health problems. Hope this helps isabee

I personally do not go to clinics, I've never like to see "whatever" Dr. is available. I want the same Dr. every time that knows my history and my problems.

I look for a Dr. that is compassionate, caring, intellectual, up to date on current technologies, but not afraid to ask for others expertise if she doesn't know all the answers....I don't like Dr.'s who overtest, just because they think a patient needs to be kept busy. I see 5 different Dr.'s each month, they work as a team and center around my Primary Care Dr. I research my Dr.'s before I see them, I've never just went and seen a Dr. randomly, I pick one that I like and check them out thoroughly to make sure we're a good fit, after the first appointment if we get along okay then off we go. I've been with my current Primary Care Dr. for 14 years..luckily we're about the same age and she'll outlive me, because I don't want to have to find a new Dr., it would be very difficult to find one that could live up to her standards.

I also look for a friendly office/nursing staff and check out time spent with patients. I don't like and don't use Dr.'s who have 10 minutes to spend with a patient and then off to the next like cattle shoots....not my thing. When you have multiple diseases/conditions, you can't go over all the crap that happens in a month in 10 min. it's not possible. I see my Primary Dr. once a month and spend about 45 min with her each appt., I know the staff, know the nurses, know about their families, etc. They know me and know my kids, it's not a "revolving door practice". For the patient with the occasional cold those may be okay, but not for a CP'er.

Hope you find what your looking for in a Dr.

kat

I definitely interview doctors. I specifically tell the doctor that I am interview doctors and this is what I am looking for.

I feel the PCP needs to be like a coach for me. Because of the cancer I need one who will keep a radar open for warning signs. I need someone who will review all the meds the different doctors want to put me on. I need someone who believes me, who is interested in keeping me healthy, not treat me like her/his next paycheck. I take my list of illnesses, my list of specialists, and any recent reports to discuss. If I have a bad first impression at the interview I do not set up a regular appointment.

Kat is right, research the doctor. That is very important.

Good luck. -RJ

Thanks you guys. The PCP I saw this morning was someone who my OB-GYN suggested. I really like my OB-GYN and that's who she recommended. I talked with some of my specialists and mentioned I was going to try and have Dr Shung as my PCP and they all had good things to say about her. It comforted me that they knew of her and her reputation. She seems pretty nice, we didn't spend a lot of time together in our appointment, but she tried to get a on things. I will give her a trial period and see how it goes. There's not too many internists in my city that have good reviews and the ones that do are booked solid and not accepting new patients.