Seeking new family practioner

I've read a few posts where others are in this same boat. I too have high standards of what I expect of a family practioner and am not finding one that suits or that does and is taking new patients. I had such a dear before, who retired, and had a very good one following who then left the area and now have one that my gynie/oncs office asks <<where did this woman come from>>. She seems totally clueless about so many things and quick to pass on to someone else not only my care but my children's as well. We definitely are not on the same medical plain. Many say they defer all special issues to specialitst now and don't seem inclined to want to undersand cancer and related issues. Is this important? What is anyone else looking for in a GP/FP?

It is maddening -- the specialists defer everything that isn't in their tiny little window of specialty, and the primaries seem to think that all cancer issues belong elsewhere.

In my case, I am looking for a survivorship plan. There's lots of medical writing on this subject, for example, the 2006 government report (500 pages!!) called: From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition. Ha, they aren't kidding about the lost part! Their number one recommendation is that survivorship should be a distinct phase of cancer treatment and that each patient should be given a comprehensive survivorship plan.

My question is this: did ANYONE here get a "comprehensive survivorship plan" (and I don't just mean a schedule of follow up visits) when they were told they were now cancer-free? I know that I've been seeking this illusive goal for 6 months, but so far it's more of a crazy quilt than a step by step plan with one (imaginary?) doctor to oversee it.

Faith -

I was very lucky to find a great PCP. I knew the day I met her I would like her. She's very earthy and very open to ideas but current on testing and evalution. I love her! I figure she'll get me probably to 50 (I hope) and I will worry from there.

I did go thourgh what you are going through to find my GYN. I had a great GYN at 19. She moved to TX when I was 20. I spent the next 3 years finding a new Dr. I was treated like livestock, insulted (Dr said he saw HPV in 'numerous highly permiscuous women like me' - I had had 2 partners!) and ignored (Dr said needed laser surgery but not to call they would call with time. When I did call, they basically said 'don't call again, we'll call you', and they never did). It was the insult that led me to my current dr 15 years ago. It was a awful process but I am so glad I found her. Now I'm just nervous as she's in her 50's and kids are making their way through Grad School. I hope she doesn't retire.

I have found, people will tell (brag) when they like their Drs. It does seem to be the best way to get names. I Have also found some Drs who aren't taking new patients will if it is a referal from a current patient.

Best wishes on finding that 'one' Dr. I'm sure they're out there!

Julie

I think a "comprehensive survivorship plan" is a great idea for all cancer survivors. After the missteps my gyn took in my diagnosis and surgery, I will not return to her practice. Instead, I plan to continue with my present gyn/onc (or another one if she leaves) for all gyn issues. I'm currently on 6 month intervals.

But our GP was very helpful to my husband and me during my cancer crisis two years ago. He was available for answering questions about medical terms and treatment options. He was there when I was deciding to get a second surgery to stage my cancer. He was there when I had an infected lymphocele and sent me to the emergency room. He is our "warm fuzzy" and just right to handle the rest of my medical care (screenings for cholesterol and high blood pressure, checking and removing suspicious moles, scheduling colonoscopies or CT scans). He has all the qualities I look for in a GP.

Best of luck to you in finding a good one, Faithfirst. Ask around.

Since we've "retired" in the country, we've found a local doc, who is quite young so up on new things, has good bedside manners and takes time with his patients. He actually is one of 4 docs in our town and we picked him by elimination as well a word of mouth.
That said, he is quick to send patients to specialists when he feels the need; perhaps this is becoming more common. He usually recommends a specialist that he or another doc in his practice knows and that their patients have done well with. Also, the appointments secretary, if one is interested,will advise re the bedside manners, etc. of specialist as she learns this from patients who have been to them; there are some advantages to "small town" gossip/talk.
Re continued follow up for cancer issues, I will stay with my gyn who has been following me, based my gyn/oncs recommendation, since surgery. I've also used the "Best Doctors" list in one case to select a dermatolgist whose practice is limited to skin cancer since our PCP's office did not know of a doc specializing in this. The "Best Doctor" list followed by asking friends, etc.; re such a doc may be another possible route to go - they do include PCPs.
Good luck in finding a PCP you trust,etc.
s

We're having the same problem. We cannot find a PCP who has all the qualities that we need. My DH and I tried a couple of internal medicine doctors, but they just aren't impressing us at all.

I've been having a neurological problem for the past year that the specialist I see thinks is probable MS. When I went in to see one of the doctors we were checking out, he read through my list of symptoms which the neurologist had told me to document, told me that I was obsessive for writing them all down (and I'm probably the least obssesive person on earth), and then proceeded to dismiss most (but not all) of my symptoms as being caused by anxiety.

Now, for the past 8 months, I've been taking Wellbuterin for depression and for the extra energy boost it gives me since I have extreme fatigue, and also valium, an anti-anxiety drug, for dizziness. I still have the same symptoms, even on these meds which would negate any anxiety I might have. So, these symptoms are definitely NOT caused by anxiety. I also just found out that I have severe sleep apnea, which could account for some of the symptoms too.

He then proceeded to change my prescription that my neurologist gave me without consulting the neurologist, who is an MS specialist.

Nope, he's defnitely NOT the doctor for me (though he was really good with my husband.)

It's really hard to find a good doctor who is a good fit. And we're not that picky. We just want someone who will listen, who knows enough to be able to help maintain our health needs, and not hand out snap judgements just because I'm a woman and my problems must be caused by "anxiety".

I guess we just have to keep looking.

Come this fall when I need the annual boobie-check (very early BrCa five years ago), I will be looking for a PCP. I'm generally healthy other than the above problem which I believe is no longer a problem. I very very rarely see a GP so I don't have a PCP. Specialists are always asking who my PCP is. "Don't have one." I am thinking of a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy). The idea of holistic treatment appeals to me, yet a D.O. has a medical degree.

Couple of years ago I saw an internist for my check-up who I thought I'd like. NO WAY. There were a number of things she did during the exam which didn't sit well with me. I complained to the head of the clinic. The fee for the check-up (which my insurance does not cover) was written off! In a recent newsletter from the clinic, it was reported that that particular doctor is going into an administrative position. Hmmmmmm.

Mary D.

i love my physician - i 'found' her a few years ago. i selected her from a group by looking at my hospital's website that has the doctors' photos, ages, schools they attended, board certifications, etc. I narrowed it down a bit, but was still taking a chance, and i got lucky. i had decided to no longer see a doctor who was giving me a very difficult time with getting prescription refills for some ongoing medication i take, telling me she thought it should always go through the specialist - and in this situation, i disagreed with that being a necessity). she and i weren't clicking with her approach at all, so it was time to find someone i liked better. to me, their attitude and approach is nearly as important as their medical skills. with my current doctor, i've referred her to several people who also like her. so, i think referrals from friends, acquaintances, co-workers, etc. is a good way to find a good doctor, but i also think it's an individual fit. i have found that doctors who refer me to other doctors often give me a list, but if i ask further questions, like which doctor they would go to, they tell me more info. and, you can find doctors with similar styles, approaches that work for you, that way. good luck in the search!

Hi Faith - your post has had me thinking about my general practitioner again - I was so frustrated when she missed the 14cm cyst on my ovary during an annual pap 3 weeks before I ended up in the emergency room in writhing pain (from the cyst twisting).

Then, during chemo, I spent more time with the onc and gyn and never did hear from my gp - is it too much to expect she might call and just ask how I'm doing?

I have a follow up appt with my gyn tomorrow morning and am going to ask for a referral. I may as well start looking - good luck with your search!