new doctor search

rea · #1 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 09:36 AM

first of all, my a1c, although not good, is better. 7.1

but, that includes only 1 month of Levemir, which I was just put on, and 2 months of bad control. I expect my new one to be much lower, when I get it.

so now my doctor is so booked, I wont see him for almost a year. He told me to start seeing my gp. but, since I moved, I am to far to go see my gp, so this is the kick in the butt to find a new one, my goal for a long time.

I am a bit nervous about finding a new gp. most of the ones I have seen, refuse to help manage my diabetes, and pass it off onto my specialist, most don't know enough about diabetes at all.

I am a bit depressed about it. but trying to see it as the kick in the butt I need to get a new family doctor, that isn't working from retirement. (my last one I wasn't entirely happy with, but the best so far).

rzrbks · #2 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 09:58 AM

The Criteria I used when looking for my newest PCP (previous one joined Drs, Without Borders--------while I'm happy for him, Unhappy for me)

1. Are they part of Ins. network

2. Female (a. generally have better sense of patient awareness, b. more empathetic, c. actually tend to LISTEN, d. I like/trust women better than men, e. less like to have GAWD Complex)

3. Youngish (a.under 45 more likely to have some training in dealing with Diabetes according to one of my CDEs, b. more enthusiastic, c. see "c" above)

When I used these criteria, I found a good one on the first try. If, however, I'd not lucked out on the first try, I'd still have kept the list.

Think of it as though you are auditioning people for the role of YOUR Dr. You have, within the limits of your Ins network, the ability to say "Yes, I want you." or No, I don't want want you." for the part of YOUR Dr.

rea · #3 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 12:14 PM

thats great advice.

unfortunately, in my town, there is a severe lack of female doctors, and unless I want to drive 45 min away, I am stuck with a male! I would prefer a female one myself .

rzrbks · #4 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

rea

thats great advice.

unfortunately, in my town, there is a severe lack of female doctors, and unless I want to drive 45 min away, I am stuck with a male! I would prefer a female one myself .

Dr. I had when dx'd was Really good, and he was a guy(obviously) but the wife and I both were very sad when we both lost him as PCP.

Now, I do drive 45 min., one way, to work every day, and, since I'm here anyway........................

Good Luck in your search, rea, just remember that the Dr. has to come up to your standards, not the other way around.

rea · #5 (**permalink**) 05-15-2006, 10:57 AM

Well, I have visited my 'new' doctor, and am NOT impressed.
granted, it was only a first visit, and he did actually seem to know what a LADA was, but I felt totally brushed off, he hardly asked any questions.

at least he has a HUGE checklist of lab tests for me to do, so I am guessing rather than asking me, he is going to find out for himself whats going on.

I felt very stupid at the time, for being there, when my only real immediate concern was to have my cholesterol checked. But my specialist, who is away all summer, has told me to find a GP, to moniter my health, so I felt like I was wasting this mans time, like I wasn't a 'real' patient.

I really wish so MANY more people would enter the medical proffession, there are so few good doctors available, and the ones we have don't have time to spend with you.

Funnygrl · #6 (**permalink**) 05-15-2006, 11:20 AM

My current endo is a 60ish year old male. He's great. My previous endo was a 40ish year old female. She sucked.

However, I generally find that criteria to work. My GP and GI doctors are both female (well, GI is a group of males and females), as well as my obgyn, and they are all great.

jeggeman31 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-15-2006, 11:37 AM

All my Dr's are female. I find also better luck with female Dr's.

EdnaDeel · #8 (**permalink**) 05-15-2006, 03:51 PM

I feel that I have found a great endo this time.
I guess 3rd really is the charm

Funnygrl · #9 (**permalink**) 05-15-2006, 04:20 PM

Lol, I'm also on my third endo.

Simon · #10 (**permalink**) 05-16-2006, 05:08 AM

The only real down side of living in England is that a GP will refuse to take you on if you live too far away. That usually means 5 miles at the most. Where I live there is only one surgery within that radius taking on patients. I don't know how good he is yet but it's a pain in the neck if I have to go over there every time I need a prescription.