That is because now, with the hmo's and ppo's and other insurance, that is how doctors get paid,. Per patient. At Scott and White, which is a big medical center and owns most of central texas hospitals and clinics, only give the clinic doctors 15 minuted per patient. This was told to me by a Scott and White doctor, when I asked. I use to be able to stay as long as necessary and talk about several subjects, now it is one ailment, for 15 minutes, so if you want extra time, you have to make the appointment for 30 minutes.But thy will still get you in and out as fast as possible. I usually get what I need within that time, but I sometimes have more questions .
It is screwed up.
BJ

Know exactly what you mean. I had to get a new primary doc. Waited over thirty minutes to see her.Talked to her for about ten minutes. She had the bed side manner of an ice cub. I'd like to bite her but I'm afraid I might crack a tooth.

Hugs

i love my small town PCP. he is laid back & gives me all the time i want.
some dr's forget that we hire them ....
and that we can fire them
=:-}

Wow, this topic really struck me! Last week my husband had his standard appt with the pulmo, and the guy is such an abrupt and condescending so&so that we're seriously debating dropping him. We live in a rural area, and the specialists come here every 2 months and do a day in the clinic. We're thinking we would get better care just regularly seeing our local PCP, and then if something unusual comes up, and if it's absolutely necessary, then travel to the big city to see a different pulmo. Terrible that some doctors have such difficult personalities, makes it almost impossible to have any confidence in them.

I must add to my original post....I have a great female pcp who I have for the past 7 years...she is not the problem...It is the specialist Drs who are pompous a...s I wonder how Drs are treated when they have an illness and have to be seen by another Dr. .....One pompous a.. to another pompous a.. very interesting....

1 pompous a___s plus 1 pompous a___s = 1 smelly fart!

ROFLMAO! Jim

LOL Jim!!

LOL Jim, Here in Canada, they get paid for 10 minutes, so you'd better have all your questions ready and ailments too.

My doc is an an Angel, I'm just lucky. He saved my life in ICU in April, he just happened to be working in ICU and stayed there the whole time I was there.All 6 weeks.

i also live 3 hours each way to see a pulmonary specialist.
as a result i haven't seen him in over a year because that trip is so hard on me.
we have one of those "visiting specialist" clinics where i live, but a Pulm won't come here....
so i can understand putting up with "crappy care" with specialists as it depends what is available in a persons area.

because i can't travel so far, i talked to my PCP & he said he can do any tests (PFT, HRCT etc.) locally and he can just refer me to someone if he see's something that needs attention that he can't handle.
i'm not new to copd so i have had specialists "opinions", but i am not sure if that is "good" to quit seeing a specialist or not so i am curious from others=
1. how often do you see a pulm?
2. is your pulm your main care giver or do you have a PCP/GP that does your regular care?
3. what tests do you have done & how often?

i don't mean to distract from original thread, but thought this a good thread to ask.

I had been treated by my PCP for my emphysema for a number of years until last year ..I was seen by a pulmo.Dr. and had all the tests all over again that my Pcp had taken years before...I would prefer to be treated by her but she thinks a pulmo should be treating the emphysema.....I see no difference in the treatment....I am in stage 4 ..so the treatment is the same no matter which Dr. treats me..........I hope this helps Jarca......

I'm not on oxygen and just take Spiriva every other day or so.
My GP did the blow test and I'm 3 rd stage. I don't see any reason to see a specialist or have tests. Of course I'm in my late 70s and elected to stop all testing at 70. I just go for an annual checkup. I did buy a oxygen tester and the blow tester for about $20 each so I can darn well test myself.

ty for the answers.
my pcp says he can do any tests that pulms do & that he can take me all the way thru hospice when that time comes~~~ so maybe i'll stick with the one that listens, cares & knows me well.
ty~~~it's so nice to get opinions from others that have tried both :)

ps= mchug; maybe if you brought this up to your pcp that you were happy with she/he would re-consider???

(optimism :) )

Couldn't figure out where to out this book recommendation but since it should be of interest to each of us and required reading for doctors decided to put it here. It's entitled Being Mortal and deals with end of life issues. Written by Guande.