finding a good gp?

[Roxy2012]

Hey guys

I've been bouncing around GP's and I dont have a solid one that I feel comfortable with, I have a current ENT i'm seeing for my node issues and he is so amazing! the last gp I seen made me feel so bad and like I wasted her time so not going back there, then there was a er incident and they too made me feel stupid, which maybe going there freaking out over my lymph nodes was a bad idea. anyways I want to find a good gp that I can make a relationship with and plan to beat this HA. I have some other issues I want to go over and I want to be upfront of about my HA. my worries are that they will brush everything off as HA if I'm honest about it. So I need advice. How would you go about finding a solid GP?

what if I go and we just dont click, do I go to another and another until then fit is right? I dont want to be known as a frequent flier! any advice on this situation would be great thanks!

 

[Souris]

It can really be hard, as there are so many out there. Not every one is going to be a good fit. I've had some I LOVED, but they moved away, and that really sucked having to find someone new.

My advice would be to ask friends or co-workers who they see and if they like them and what they're like. And then look for online ratings of doctors at practices near you or that you get leads on from friends. Also, I've found that if I call a practice with multiple doctors, if you're friendly to the receptionist who makes the appointments, if you say you're looking for a new doctor and describe what kind of doctor you're looking for, they may be willing to steer you to or away from certain doctors. They work in the same office, so they know what their bedside manners are like. Some won't recommend, but others will. It's worth a shot!

And if you see someone and you don't click, I think it's perfectly fine (for the best, really) to try somebody else. It's your health! I mean, would you go back to a restaurant than served you crappy food over and over?

 

[Bobnnat]

I’ve mentioned before how I found my current GP. Bottom line is you have to commit to the time and effort it will likely take to find the right one. You need to meet with many doctors who are taking on new patients. You should be able to have that intro appointment free of charge I’d think. Importantly admit right up front that you have HA, and how your mind operates. Let him or her know you are looking not only for someone who is an excellent diagnostician, but someone who understands your anxiety and is willing to work with you. A doctor who will tell you after an examination that your fear of xxx disease is “nonsense”. One who will only refer you to a specialist if in their professional judgment it is warranted. One who might for example say something like “I don’t believe you need it, but if your mind will be eased, you can have...(a simple test like a CBC or say ultrasound of the bump).

Its so worth it when you successfully find the right doctor. But it takes time and effort, almost like it does to find the right significant other!

 

[Roxy2012]

Thank you for both replies. Great advice. I am planning to start the hunt for a Gp soon!