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Post by Cupcake on Mar 7, 2021 18:46:30 GMT
For various reasons, I am leaving my current PCP who I have been with for about 18 years. After asking my Gyno (who I absolutely love) for practice recommendations, I have narrowed it down to one Family Medicine practice. They have several physicians and nurse practitioners, and after reading their bios online and going back and forth with the practice manager, I’ve narrowed it down to 2:
Doc #1 is male, has been practicing as a physician for about 15 years. He is described as more outgoing. He is out of the office on Wednesdays. Because he also does obstetrics, he could be out of the office delivering a baby, although he doesn’t do many it’s a possibility.
Doc #2 is a female, has been practicing for about 6 years. She is described as more reserved/introverted. She is out of the office on Mondays and Tuesdays.
I have a few conditions that need to be monitored (asthma, blood pressure, cholesterol) and am also a (slightly chubby) distance runner, and the practice manager said both would be good with that dichotomy lol. She also assured me there is someone to see me even if my own PCP is not available. This practice is in the same “circle” as the one I’m leaving, so I don’t have to switch any specialists, like the ortho I see for my running injuries. 😜 I have had both male and female doctors in the past and am good with either (the gyno I love who delivered my firstborn is a male and is absolutely wonderful).
I really want to choose wisely but switching doctors is the worst! Any advice? I am purposely choosing a family practice, as my DD is about to age out of her pediatrician but being on the spectrum is still very “young” for her age. This way she will be able to switch when it’s time, to someone in the practice who is good with young adults like her.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Mar 7, 2021 18:54:21 GMT
Based on what you're considering, I'd probably pick one whose personality seems to be a better fit. For me, that would be the introvert.
But, couldn't you change later if the one you do pick turns out not to be a good fit for you?
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Mar 7, 2021 18:56:47 GMT
It is hard. Choose one to start, but next appt pick a day that first one is off and try the other.
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Post by Cupcake on Mar 7, 2021 18:56:51 GMT
Based on what you're considering, I'd probably pick one whose personality seems to be a better fit. For me, that would be the introvert. But, couldn't you change later if the one you do pick turns out not to be a good fit for you? I guess I could, but it’s been such a long time since I’ve found a new doctor (and my current doctor is a solo practice) that I wasn’t sure if that was frowned upon, like switching hairdressers in the same salon lol. |
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Post by littlemama on Mar 7, 2021 18:59:04 GMT
Based on what you're considering, I'd probably pick one whose personality seems to be a better fit. For me, that would be the introvert. But, couldn't you change later if the one you do pick turns out not to be a good fit for you? I guess I could, but it’s been such a long time since I’ve found a new doctor (and my current doctor is a solo practice) that I wasn’t sure if that was frowned upon, like switching hairdressers in the same salon lol. Nah, i see an older male doctor, but for gyn stuff, I see a younger female doctor in the same office. |
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Post by pierkiss on Mar 7, 2021 19:04:17 GMT
I would crowd source my local friends and see if they had any experiences with either of those drs.
I personally would pick the female over the male dr. Comfort levels. Unless I found out that one was super religious and brought that into their practice. (That’s all well and good, but I don’t need prayers while also getting antibiotics for my strep throat. And yes I have run into this more than once, in different states). Then I would look at another dr/practice.
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Post by lisae on Mar 7, 2021 19:04:35 GMT
Based on what you're considering, I'd probably pick one whose personality seems to be a better fit. For me, that would be the introvert. But, couldn't you change later if the one you do pick turns out not to be a good fit for you? Do not count on changing. That is a question you should ask them. I've run into practices where you must stay with the doctor you chose as the primary. I would choose the one who is only out one day a week and midweek is ideal if they have to be gone one day. Someone out on Mondays and Tuesdays means if something happens to you on Friday evening, you would need until the 5th day to see your regular doctor or see a PA or the other doctor. |
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Post by Patter on Mar 7, 2021 19:15:07 GMT
Well, I am changing as my wonderful doc (D.O.) moved to CA to be near her mother. Anyway, I am SO excited to see my new doc in a totally different practice on Tuesday. I have had this appointment scheduled for two months. First, I wanted a D.O. Second, I want a doc that will work together with me. Here is what part of her bio says: "prefers a shared decision-making process when working with patients. She wants to arm patients with enough information so they can make decisions about their own healthcare." I also looked up her reviews. She has 78 reviews which is really a lot. She receives rave reviews and 5 stars from everyone. SOLD She also has many other things that I love about her. I personally prefer females too. I also want to know what the office and clinical staff are like. They can make or break a practice. That is also part of the reason why I am leaving the new doc I chose at the original practice because of his terrible clinical staff. I have had 3 major health issues this year, and they were handled horribly by his staff. Hope you find the perfect doc for you!
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Post by librarylady on Mar 7, 2021 19:18:42 GMT
I would go with the female physician since you expect your DD to begin seeing her. DD would probably be more comfortable with a female than a male.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 7, 2021 21:20:44 GMT
I’d pick the female doctor because I would be much more comfortable with that. I try to avoid male doctors for anything internal medicine related.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,598
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Mar 7, 2021 21:26:09 GMT
I'd see them both before I decided. And that means I'd probably choose one (because I know you have to do that) and then I'd see one when I needed an appointment and try to see the other one another time.
I don't like the person considered my PCP. We just don't "click." However, I really like the PAs in the office and I make all of my appointments with them, but still keep the other doctor as my PCP, because I have to have one. I haven't seen her in years, just the PAs. No one has questioned it.
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Post by tommygirl on Mar 7, 2021 21:49:42 GMT
I have had great male doctors and great female doctors. I have had great nurse practitioners and great MD's. Those issues don't determine whether I feel like I am receiving good medical care.
I want the someone who knows their stuff and is willing to research or refer me to someone else if they are unsure/it's beyond their scope. I want someone who listens and doesn't make me feel like they are discounting what I say. I want someone who I will be able to get an appointment with because if they are never there or their schedule is so packed that they are passing me off to someone else then it does me no good.
I work for a medical practice (in billing). Most insurances in my state allow you to see anyone in the group practice as long as you have someone in the same practice designated as your primary care physician.
Some insurances will not allow a nurse practitioner to be named as your primary care physician.
Some insurances pay nurse practitioners less than doctors. So the same office visit with NP may cost less than office visit with MD. If you have a high deductible that may be a factor in your decision.
At my office the providers do not get upset if you switch providers within our practice. It does help with continuity and to develop a relationship to ultimately make a decision and stick with one provider, but no one is upset if you "shop around" within the practice. All providers within the practice will have access to your medical records and can cover for each other as needed.
Personally, someone who is there 4 days a week vs 3 days would be my preference if everything else is equal.
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Post by Cupcake on Mar 8, 2021 0:09:56 GMT
I would go with the female physician since you expect your DD to begin seeing her. DD would probably be more comfortable with a female than a male. DD will likely follow us to the practice, but have a different doctor, one who has more experience with young adults, which I am not 😂 |
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Post by Cupcake on Mar 8, 2021 0:11:06 GMT
Based on what you're considering, I'd probably pick one whose personality seems to be a better fit. For me, that would be the introvert. But, couldn't you change later if the one you do pick turns out not to be a good fit for you? Do not count on changing. That is a question you should ask them. I've run into practices where you must stay with the doctor you chose as the primary. I would choose the one who is only out one day a week and midweek is ideal if they have to be gone one day. Someone out on Mondays and Tuesdays means if something happens to you on Friday evening, you would need until the 5th day to see your regular doctor or see a PA or the other doctor. That is a really good point about the doctor who is out on Mondays and Tuesdays. Thanks for pointing that out! |
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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 8, 2021 2:10:18 GMT
I would always pick a female dr over a male. Women are smarter and more likely to listen to me.
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Post by threegirls on Mar 8, 2021 13:50:38 GMT
When I went looking for a primary care doctor I thought I would want a middle aged female, like me. I ended up with a fresh out of residency male doctor. I didn't think he would listen to me or take me seriously. I thought well I'll go to him until I can find what I'm really looking for.
He ended up being the best doctor I have ever had. I'm surprised at how much we have in common.
Many practices have a paragraph or two description of the doctor and it usually includes some information about their personal interests/hobbies. Maybe that would help.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,643 
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Mar 8, 2021 15:00:03 GMT
It's a tough decision, but you can always change again if you don't like the one you choose. When my DH was in the military we moved all the time and I was always having to change doctors. It made me figure out pretty quickly what I was looking for in a doctor. After all those years of moving and changing, I was of the mindset that I wanted a female doctor, but honestly my favorite doctor ever was a young guy fresh out of medical school. I don't know if he was trained differently or what, but he was just the best listener and believed me when I told him something was wrong. He even said I knew my body better than anyone. He was also all about getting my input when making health decisions. I was crushed when he moved away, but that's life. Now I have a female doctor I really love and I have gone to her for almost a decade. So for me it's a meshing of personalities. I need someone who listens and doesn't dismiss me. And I like being on time as much as possible. Figure out what's most important to you and shop around.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Mar 8, 2021 17:04:06 GMT
With only the info posted I would pick the male dr- more days in office & outgoing personality (hoping this means forthcoming with info and good communication). While I can be outgoing it is much easier on me when the other person is eager to chat so having a introverted Dr would not be the best for me as I don't want a barrier to communication with my Dr.
My PCP was a recommendation from a friend and I have several people who I have recommended him to. He has a great bedside manner, easy to talk to about my concerns and I feel listened to.
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Post by Cupcake on Mar 8, 2021 17:27:27 GMT
I did contact the practice and chose the male provider. I did consider that he was typically more available during the week, as well as more outgoing. Off to fill out a ton of paperwork and make it happen!
Thank you,
Lisa
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Post by tentoes on Mar 8, 2021 17:44:06 GMT
I have a friend that has a great doctor, but the staff is the PITS and doesn't relay messages in a timely manner at all, so sometimes it's not just about the doctor! Good luck. I hate changing doctors.
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