What type of Dr is your PCP?

[katie111]

I'm a female in my late 40's and I need to get a new Dr as mine has left the practice. Just wondering what type of Dr everyone uses for their PCP. I feel like it used to not matter as I was young & rarely ever get sick but now that I'm getting up there in age a little bit, I want to make a good choice. Looking at Family Dr's, General practitioners, internal medicine, etc. We live in an area with a ton of hospitals so plenty to choose from.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'm a female in my late 40's and I need to get a new Dr as mine has left the practice. Just wondering what type of Dr everyone uses for their PCP. I feel like it used to not matter as I was young & rarely ever get sick but now that I'm getting up there in age a little bit, I want to make a good choice. Looking at Family Dr's, General practitioners, internal medicine, etc. We live in an area with a ton of hospitals so plenty to choose from.

I prefer women internists. I have a lot of medical issues. Generally I see specialists for most of my medical stuff.

Bottom line as I have found out is that you need someone who gives a crap and that is NO joke.

 

[adelaster]

Internal Medicine at a hospital care center. I sometimes use the hospital site to communicate with him via messager, but it takes weeks (or months) to actually get in.

I mostly use the clinic (affiliated with the same local hospital) in my local grocery store chain when I get sick. Way easier, walk-in, closer, pharmacy on site.

Anymore though I avoid the doctor as much as possible due to cost. My newest employer insurance doesn't cover well at all and the copays are much higher. Even bloodwork is out of pocket. It's a drag, but so very common.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

I recommend evaluating ur primary and secondary maternal/paternal family hx.

Suggest internal medicine if a significant amount of hx includes (and not limited to) early onset cardiovascular ds, stroke, blood clots, htn along with cholesterol. Autoimmune Ds. Neurological Ds; early Alzheimer’s. Cancer. Diabetes.

I hope this helps.

 

[powellrj]

My Dr is a DO who practices family medicine. I am almost 60, and have been seeing her for over ten years and love her so much. Every year she is voted the# one doctor in our county.

 

[ronandannette]

Under our medical system everybody's PCP is a general practitioner. Access to all "specialists" is by referral from a GP only. I can't call up a gynecologist, podiatrist, dermatologist or whatever and make an appointment - my GP has to send a request. GP's are also required to coordinate care, which means that if I do see a specialist, the results of the visit are communicated back to the referring physician and I am informed of any diagnosis by them; treatment options and any further referrals are discussed at that point as well.

 

[MIGrandma]

My doctor (family practice doctor) closed his practice about a year or so ago. I had been going to that building for over 40 years, having seen maybe half a dozen doctors come and go during that time. My current doctor went to a larger practice in a nearby town, so I "followed" him. He sees patients in the mornings and teaches at the hospital in the afternoons. As I prefer seeing a doctor in the afternoon I don't see him anymore. But lo and behold the care giver I had seen before at his practice before he closed it works there! I had wondered where he went when he left my doctor's practice. And I'm so glad I found him again. I see him every 6-months for my diabetic checkup (had been going every 3-months, but it's well under control so he said every 6-months would be okay). He is not a doctor, but I think more than a nurse practitioner. Not exactly sure what his title is. He prefers to be called by his first name. He's very casual, very sweet and kind. There are other doctors in this practice, but I haven't seen them. I suppose if I were to get sick, and needed to see someone asap I would probably see a different one.

My advice to you is to ask locally for a recommendation for a good doctor in your area. Ask on Facebook or ask friends in your area who they see.

 

[kimblebee]

Under our medical system everybody's PCP is a general practitioner. Access to all "specialists" is by referral from a GP only. I can't call up a gynecologist, podiatrist, dermatologist or whatever and make an appointment - my GP has to send a request. GP's are also required to coordinate care, which means that if I do see a specialist, the results of the visit are communicated back to the referring physician and I am informed of any diagnosis by them; treatment options and any further referrals are discussed at that point as well.

I like the way this works in our system. All my Dr's know what's going on and I don't have to try and memorize every test I've had and every result I've gotten.

 

[dclpluto]

A beautiful female doctor is the one I use.

 

[maxaroni]

Mine is an internist. His practice has grown over the last number of years with more docs, PA’s and NP’s. I like it as if you really need to get in, there is someone to see you with all records right there. Also, part of a major Philly hospital with satellite facilities in NJ.

 

[Skippy918]

Under our medical system everybody's PCP is a general practitioner. Access to all "specialists" is by referral from a GP only. I can't call up a gynecologist, podiatrist, dermatologist or whatever and make an appointment - my GP has to send a request. GP's are also required to coordinate care, which means that if I do see a specialist, the results of the visit are communicated back to the referring physician and I am informed of any diagnosis by them; treatment options and any further referrals are discussed at that point as well.

So does that mean you need a referral to get a well woman exam at the gyn?

I have a pcp who is a family doctor for illnesses and stuff, but I use my ob-gyn for the female well checks.

 

[PrincesCJM]

Family practice doctor. She sees myself, my husband, and our two boys.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I rarely see a PCP. When I do need to see someone, I generally see what is called, around here, a "Doc in a box."

I have a serious, chronic condition that requires many visits to different specialists. Luckily I don't have to obtain a referral from anyone to see one of my specialists. If I did, I would spend way too much time see that doctor and not enough with the specialists that I need to see.

 

[dotfurio]

I have a GP, but I usually end up seeing the PA when I go there. I see my specialists more than my GP office. Heck I see the urgent care more than my GP office because when I do want to see them it's usually for something I need to get fixed quick, not in a few days when they can get me in. I would hate having to wait for a referral, and then having to wait to see my primary doc to get results and treatment! That seems like it'd just prolong treatment.

 

[gillep]

I have an internal medicine doctor as my PCP, my insurance does not require any referrals from her in order to see specialists however, my doctor's office is great at making sure that they request all my records when I do see a specialist, so that my doctor can review the reports and have everything on file. I had a small procedure on Wednesday with a specialist, and my PCP's office called on Friday to let me know that my records were received and that the doctor had reviewed them.

 

[Southernmiss]

I just see my gyno.

I would ask around for recommendations locally.

The more I learn about medical care in the US today, the more I am interested in functional medicine doctors.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

My current doctor is a family practitioner...I rarely need to see him except if I need a referral for a specialist, like my cardiologist. I'm actually preparing to switch doctors to someone with a smaller practice who takes appointments. My current doctor is all walk-ins and his waiting room is always crammed full no matter how early I show up.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My doctor (family practice doctor) closed his practice about a year or so ago. I had been going to that building for over 40 years, having seen maybe half a dozen doctors come and go during that time. My current doctor went to a larger practice in a nearby town, so I "followed" him. He sees patients in the mornings and teaches at the hospital in the afternoons. As I prefer seeing a doctor in the afternoon I don't see him anymore. But lo and behold the care giver I had seen before at his practice before he closed it works there! I had wondered where he went when he left my doctor's practice. And I'm so glad I found him again. I see him every 6-months for my diabetic checkup (had been going every 3-months, but it's well under control so he said every 6-months would be okay). He is not a doctor, but I think more than a nurse practitioner. Not exactly sure what his title is. He prefers to be called by his first name. He's very casual, very sweet and kind. There are other doctors in this practice, but I haven't seen them. I suppose if I were to get sick, and needed to see someone asap I would probably see a different one.

My advice to you is to ask locally for a recommendation for a good doctor in your area. Ask on Facebook or ask friends in your area who they see.

He is probably a Physicians Assistant, who is on the same level as a Nurse Practitioner.

 

[Neesy228]

We have a really wonderful Nurse Practitioner in a family medicine office that we’ve been seeing for about 10 years. I’ve moved both of my sons to her too because she’s very good, but she’s also very kind and patient, and sadly that seems harder and harder to find. I’m not sure what we will do when she retires.

 

[Jaime4004]

My whole family sees a doctor board certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics. It's convenient that she knows what's going on with the whole family. Love her. And I prefer one stop shopping, so there are several specialties in the same building. Including urgent care so after hours appointments are never a problem. Not that we go often, but after hitting our deductible early this year after surgery, we've all been seen more than I normally would...