This is the one about doctors.
Posted June 18th, 2009 by Mike Lawson
I’ve got a dilemma, and I was hoping some of you can help me.
Since my DKA in May, I’ve been seeing a doctor that I randomly found by flipping though my insurance provider’s list of approved doctors. I made my first appointment and went in and told him my whole story.
I won’t bore you with my back-story, but the gist is that my insurance just recently started covering Diabetes care after a long waiting-period because of a “pre-existing condition.” Dumb.
So the Doctor comes in and is a really fast talker. He interrupted me while I’m talking a few times. And he scribbled a prescription and walked out. A few seconds later a nurse walks in and cleans my ears out (I guess scratching the inside of your ears with your car keys is bad for them…who knew?), and tells me that the doctor wants to see me again in a month.
Okay, so he loses points as a conversationalist…but I know that a lot of doctors are in-and-out, and I’ve heard a lot of people complain that they don’t get enough face-time with their doctors.
When it came to my treatment plan however, I really feel that for the first time this doctor really “got me.” The basal/bolus regiment is working. My numbers (for the first time in years) are close to stabilizing. And I’m hopeful that I can live comfortably with diabetes.
So here’s the dilemma: It’s time for me to make another appointment. Do I find another doctor to see?
THE PROS: If I cut ties now with this doctor, I’ve invested very little of my time and money into him. I can go find someone that clicks with me, and we can have a long relationship. It’s possible that in a few months I get fed up with the curtness of the current doctor and end up switching anyway.
THE CONS: Eventually you need to settle down and start building history with one physician. It’s close to impossible to find that “soul mate” doctor that connects from the moment your eyes meet. Stop doctor-hopping and start getting in control of your diabetes.
What are your thoughts?
8 Responses to “This is the one about doctors.”
June 18th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I think you posted this right as I was checking my reader, I’m not a stalker I promise! You definitely want a doctor that you feel comfortable with, personally I would prioritize that for the exact reason you gave. You can always get a copy of your medical history and take that to the next doctor so they can see what was done and you cantell them how it worked. Obvs you can’t hop around forever, but testing out a few and then choosing is never a bad thing.
June 18th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
First, doctor hopping isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially when you’re trying to find the right fit.
That being said, if you’re going to hop, some planning would be in order to make sure that you are keeping up with the once a month appointments. You don’t need to run out of insulin perscriptions.
We really haven’t talked about it much but as this an ongoing condition that needs to be constantly monitored, there probably should be some consistency when it comes to medical care. Should more time and effort be put into finding the right endocrinologist? Just my thoughts.
June 18th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Are there multiple doctors in the same practice? See, I’ve got a couple of chronic conditions that need fairly regular follow up, and my doctor (though she prescibed the route I currently take) wasn’t a great fit…but the office was. I see one of the PA-C’s at the office now, he’s fantastic, and all of my medical history from the first gal was already in the office so there was no need to do the photo-copy catch-up with the next person I saw. I still have the option of seeing the main Dr. if needed, but have the added benefit of dealing with the cool guy on my visits.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I think it’s important to find a doctor you are comfortable with communicating and can build a trusted relationship. Shopping for a new doc is a good idea especially with some research. Asking friends and coworkers is a good start for getting a referral.
June 18th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I would go to him one more time, you may have caught him on a very busy day, he seems to have put you on the right path to feeling good, if you’re still not happy with his manner then I think Brian is right, ask around. In the long run a second visit is not that much to invest, and this is something you want to be sure about.
June 18th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I agree with Paul — one more time, and if he isn’t any better…dump his ass!
June 19th, 2009 at 5:49 am
I think you should go back to the same doctor one more time too. During that visit, tell him that you like the care he has prescribed, but also tell him what was disappointing about your last visit AND what you’d like from him in the way of bedside manner. In your post, you talk about the doctor / patient relationship. Well, approach it like other relationships and communicate what you’re wanting. He won’t get any better if you expect him to guess what you want.
June 21st, 2009 at 10:13 pm
If the doctor walks out before you’ve finished asking your questions, he’s no good. I currently am dealing with side effects from an inappropriate medical decision by a doctor I stopped seeing a year ago. No good at all.
Also, with diabetes especially its important to have a doctor who will answer your questions because you will have to make so many decisions about your care.
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