Finding great doctors...

[LC]

On 6/20/2023 at 4:04 PM, rolling said:

Both me and my wife are doctors. When we need someone, we ask a colleague from the area who he recommends. It is what we all do. We usually know who are the best in our own area. And usually you do not need the best: you just need someone who is good and humble enough to know where he needs help.

 

 

My girlfriend is a doctor - this is exactly right. (I am US based fyi)

 

Find a doctor / specialist you like and is knowledgeable, and ask them for recommendations.

Medicine is a small world and everyone knows who practices bad medicine. 

 

To expand - she is an allergist, she works closely with derms. They all know each other. Her good friend from medical school is also an allergist, but her husband is one of the leading heart surgeons in the area. And he knows other surgeons, etc. So asking my girlfriend (an allergist) for a recommendation on a surgeon goes thru a personal network of doctors.

 

They aren't friends with crappy doctors (which absolutely exist - just like in any other field).

Edited June 23, 2023 by LC

[schin]

15 hours ago, boilermaker75 said:

 

An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor so drugs are not used. Weisskopf was in charge of my wife. He is a surgeon, but he had us treat the tumor with radiation instead. He said only if the radiation did not work would he do surgery.

 

The radiation oncologist was Terrence Sio. He too was amazing. He was extremely careful and would personally call my wife to check on her or tell her something. 

 

Thanks for sharing. Interesting.

[schin]

13 hours ago, Thrifty3000 said:

 

To answer your question about getting an appointment...

• If calling to schedule an appointment doesn't work:
  • Ask the scheduler (or call the receptionist at the office) and ask who that doctor recommends seeing.
  • Email the doctor (you can get anyone's email). In your email mention the person who connected you to them, describe any specifics of your case, ask if they can work you in, and if they can't work you in ask who they would recommend seeing if they were in your situation.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely do this for my mom.

[jks327]

On 6/20/2023 at 8:59 AM, rogermunibond said:

It's very difficult.  The ones that one to provide more traditional service are moving to concierge medicine.  Very few doctors are operating in solo or small practices (basically a small business).  The realities of electronic records, billing, insurance etc. make it too difficult to operate in a solo/small practice.

I have one of these, has been very good.  He treats my entire immediate family, has never asked me to pay separately for his services though I continually offer.  The only doctor I know trying to keep people off drugs and avoiding complicated interventions, focuses on keeping people healthy.  Have also heard very good things about Mayo Clinic from family members who have had serious illness.  Wishing good health to all!

[backtothebeach]

Is anyone here using the Mayo or Cleveland clinic executive health program, and what is your experience?

 

As I understand, it is yearly or bi-yearly comprehensive checkups tailored to your needs. I wonder how customized it is really beyond the standard tests like blood panel, cardio etc.

[UNF2007]

On 6/20/2023 at 5:55 AM, schin said:

My parents are getting older and I wanted to find some good doctors that can think holistically or deep thinkers. Most just keep referring you to other specialists and it just got around and around.  Lots of tests and medicines that doesn't lead to anything.. Easy answer is age.

 

Again, it's hard enough to find good financial help, but doctors... other than being paid a lot and hard to make appointments.. How do I find Dr. Gregory House from the TV show?  All the local magazines seem to show doctors with the best social networks, best paid advertising, and best bedside manner...  How do you all find care?

 

I work in general surgery, I really don't have a good answer for you. I think for most things a good primary doctor will go a long way. If you want to spend more time with the doctor I would consider concierge medicine/direct primary care. It has changed somewhat recently, but most primary care reimbursement is based on E&M coding, which generates RVU's based on a complex set of rules that require specific documentation to support. That documentation and all the back office support/cost is the rate limiting step. If you go with a cash based practice they will have much more flexibility on time they can spend with you/ flexibility with scheduling because they don't have to worry about all the medicare/insurance company rules. Thinking holistically is going to come from them getting to know you/what is important to you over a reasonable period of time. While Mayo and the others are well known, I think it would be a pain to travel out there unless your close or really need the world expert in something. 

[dipod]

4 hours ago, UNF2007 said:

 

I work in general surgery, I really don't have a good answer for you. I think for most things a good primary doctor will go a long way. If you want to spend more time with the doctor I would consider concierge medicine/direct primary care. It has changed somewhat recently, but most primary care reimbursement is based on E&M coding, which generates RVU's based on a complex set of rules that require specific documentation to support. That documentation and all the back office support/cost is the rate limiting step. If you go with a cash based practice they will have much more flexibility on time they can spend with you/ flexibility with scheduling because they don't have to worry about all the medicare/insurance company rules. Thinking holistically is going to come from them getting to know you/what is important to you over a reasonable period of time. While Mayo and the others are well known, I think it would be a pain to travel out there unless your close or really need the world expert in something. 

Been doing this for the better part of the last 3 years. In tandem with a health sharing plan. Way cheaper (you usually get amazing discounts), more physician time, and just better care overall.