Finding great doctors...

[schin]

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?

[Blugolds11]

Day to day things, minor issues, its probably all the same. 

 

If I had a serious issue, if I couldn't mess around and I wanted the best possible care I would personally pick Mayo. I've spent considerable time around the Mayo system and the way it operates (no pun intended), the resources, collaboration, attention to detail, results etc is IMO superb.  

 

There is a reason that dignitaries/elite from all over the world go there for care/treatment etc. They could literally pick any provider, anywhere in the world, and they chose Mayo. 

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/why-choose-mayo-clinic/what-makes-mayo-clinic-different

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/quality/top-ranked

 

 

[boilermaker75]

@Blugolds11 I second that about Mayos. My wife had an acoustic neuroma and after research we went to see a doctor at Mayos in Phoenix. Amazing place. When you have an appointment that is exactly the time the doctor, or whoever you are seeing, you see. Why does that not happen anywhere else?

 

Edit: Plus this doctor, Peter Weisskopf, walks us out to the lobby! I knew someone and she used to fly to Mayo once a year for her yearly physical. I have been thinking about doing that now that I have experienced Mayo with my wife's issue.

 

Edited June 20, 2023 by boilermaker75

[Ulti]

Might be behind paywall

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/15/magazine/doctors-moral-crises.html

 

Both Mayo locations are great…. Minn and Jacksonville….Regional / university ( teaching) hospitals are good alternatives but quite Byzantine in bureaucracy.

 

If there is a physician / dentist In your parents area that you trust and fits with the philosophy your looking for ask them for a referral…..chances are who they send you to will be similar in practice style 

 

and finally, if they are looking holistic…. Have them do their part with diet exercise and social interaction….
 

[Castanza]

Is it just me or is medicine becoming more and more impersonal in the US? At least here in PA it seems everything is being consolidated under the big branches like UPMC where instead of getting a traditional family doctor for everyday stuff who would follow health history closely; you get in these programs where it's some random rotation of 5-10 MD's or PAs....

 

No personal health concerns between me and my wife but still annoying and I can imagine it being very frustrating if you have some chronic condition. 

[rogermunibond]

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.

[Castanza]

2 minutes ago, 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.

 

Makes sense from that perspective. I've sure with medical school debt of what 400k on average it's pretty difficult to make it on your own outside of a major metropolitan area. 

 

Might as well move to a universal system at this point....From an investment standpoint as someone who is only 30; I do contribute to HSA etc. But honestly long term I don't see how the US won't have some form of universal in the next 10-20 years. Seems inevitable, especially with the voting demographics changing. 

[rogermunibond]

I think maybe we have "creeping single payer"

 

If anyone spends time in Taiwan, Japan, Switzerland, etc. they realize how Rube Goldberg the US healthcare system is.

[Castanza]

Agreed

 

I think the first logical step would be removing the tie between insurance and employer. HMO1973 took US healthcare in the wrong direction. 

[dipod]

Mayo is an excellent healthcare system with very knowledgeable physicians that cut across many spheres of healthcare.

[Spekulatius]

I very much liked Kaiser when I lived in California. its fully integrated so much easier to move across once you have an issue. Some people hate it (and that's why it took me a long time to join because of horror stories) but once I tried it out, myself and I my wife very much liked it.

 

Unfortunately, it's not an option where we live.

Edited June 20, 2023 by Spekulatius

[boilermaker75]

7 hours ago, Ulti said:

Might be behind paywall

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/15/magazine/doctors-moral-crises.html

 

Both Mayo locations are great…. Minn and Jacksonville….Regional / university ( teaching) hospitals are good alternatives but quite Byzantine in bureaucracy.

 

If there is a physician / dentist In your parents area that you trust and fits with the philosophy your looking for ask them for a referral…..chances are who they send you to will be similar in practice style 

 

and finally, if they are looking holistic…. Have them do their part with diet exercise and social interaction….
 

 

All three Mayos, don't forget Phoenix. I have been to both Rochester and Phoenix Mayos and the Phoenix campus is much, much nicer.

[Thrifty3000]

True story I like to share with people who have a specific life threatening issue - like cancer.

 

My mom had breast cancer in the 90s and then got a lymphoma about 10 years ago. Her (insert expletive) doctor, of course, referred her to a general oncologist within his own medical group.

 

Going to a general oncologist sounded like a death sentence to me, so I emailed a radiologist I knew that worked at a local, reputable, teaching hospital. I told her the situation and asked for her recommendation.

 

She then recommended a colleague that was one of the LEADING SPECIALISTS in the world on how to treat lymphomas in women who had already received chemo for breast cancer!

 

When we went to meet with that doctor they told us two things:

 

- there is not a cure for my mother’s cancer.

- but, he would collaborate on her case with other world-renowned specialists at MD Anderson, Emory, Hopkins, Mayo, etc to devise a treatment plan.

 

Fast forward through a few months of treatment and she was completely cured!!

 

Long story short, if you have a specific medical issue:

 

- do whatever it takes to find THE specialist and travel to meet with them! (I’m a big fan of teaching hospitals.)

- make sure they collaborate with other leading specialists at other reputable hospitals.

Edited June 20, 2023 by Thrifty3000

[boilermaker75]

@Thrifty3000 Your advice is spot on. 

[rolling]

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.

 

note: we are in europe. Things there might be different, even if I doubt they are that different 

Edited June 20, 2023 by rolling

[ICUMD]

3 hours ago, Thrifty3000 said:

True story I like to share with people who have a specific life threatening issue - like cancer.

 

My mom had breast cancer in the 90s and then got a lymphoma about 10 years ago. Her (insert expletive) doctor, of course, referred her to a general oncologist within his own medical group.

 

Going to a general oncologist sounded like a death sentence to me, so I emailed a radiologist I knew that worked at a local, reputable, teaching hospital. I told her the situation and asked for her recommendation.

 

She then recommended a colleague that was one of the LEADING SPECIALISTS in the world on how to treat lymphomas in women who had already received chemo for breast cancer!

 

When we went to meet with that doctor they told us two things:

 

- there is not a cure for my mother’s cancer.

- but, he would collaborate on her case with other world-renowned specialists at MD Anderson, Emory, Hopkins, Mayo, etc to devise a treatment plan.

 

Fast forward through a few months of treatment and she was completely cured!!

 

Long story short, if you have a specific medical issue:

 

- do whatever it takes to find THE specialist and travel to meet with them! (I’m a big fan of teaching hospitals.)

- make sure they collaborate with other leading specialists at other reputable hospitals.

Agree with the above for super specialized medical issues. Basically, super specialised doctors need a large referral base to get the practise and expertise in a niche area. 

 

OTOH certain common medical issues are highly time sensitive: heart attacks, strokes, trauma, serious infections, certain surgical issues etc.   

 

Living close to a good medical centre for these issues can save your life. (And yes, you don't need to live next to a super expensive private hospital like the Cleveland clinic)

 

Also, don't discount community hospitals - our Canadian community hospital is exceptional as we don't have 5 levels of trainees doing all the work as you have in many teaching hospitals. You get experienced physicians right up front. 

 

Having trained and worked in Toronto for a few years prior, I have personally no qualms about my family getting treatment locally in our community.

[schin]

On 6/20/2023 at 12:33 AM, Blugolds11 said:

Day to day things, minor issues, its probably all the same. 

 

If I had a serious issue, if I couldn't mess around and I wanted the best possible care I would personally pick Mayo. I've spent considerable time around the Mayo system and the way it operates (no pun intended), the resources, collaboration, attention to detail, results etc is IMO superb.  

 

There is a reason that dignitaries/elite from all over the world go there for care/treatment etc. They could literally pick any provider, anywhere in the world, and they chose Mayo. 

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/why-choose-mayo-clinic/what-makes-mayo-clinic-different

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/quality/top-ranked

 

 

I live in Maryland and we have John Hopkins near by. My ex-wife had lung cancer and our best friend had stomach cancer.... Both seen at JHU and our best friend passed away because it was detected too late. My ex-wife was detected early, but seems like the doctor was more interested in using robotic surgery and being invasive....  That is what I worry about.

 

Like mechanics, most people are changing out the whole engine instead of really diagnosing any issues... The cost is all the patient/owner... that is what I worry about.

[schin]

On 6/20/2023 at 6:40 AM, boilermaker75 said:

@Blugolds11 I second that about Mayos. My wife had an acoustic neuroma and after research we went to see a doctor at Mayos in Phoenix. Amazing place. When you have an appointment that is exactly the time the doctor, or whoever you are seeing, you see. Why does that not happen anywhere else?

 

Edit: Plus this doctor, Peter Weisskopf, walks us out to the lobby! I knew someone and she used to fly to Mayo once a year for her yearly physical. I have been thinking about doing that now that I have experienced Mayo with my wife's issue.

 

 

Having access to the Dr. Weisskopf, did it allow you all to get access to the drug trials or is there something he can do that others could not diagnose? My mom has Sjogren's Disease and there is no cure. Just treat the symptoms..... there is a phase 2 drug, but not sure if she will be given access to that. Is that Mayo doctor do better than the rest? They're smarter and more punctual?

[schin]

On 6/20/2023 at 8:19 AM, Ulti said:

Might be behind paywall

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/15/magazine/doctors-moral-crises.html

 

Both Mayo locations are great…. Minn and Jacksonville….Regional / university ( teaching) hospitals are good alternatives but quite Byzantine in bureaucracy.

 

If there is a physician / dentist In your parents area that you trust and fits with the philosophy your looking for ask them for a referral…..chances are who they send you to will be similar in practice style 

 

and finally, if they are looking holistic…. Have them do their part with diet exercise and social interaction….
 

 

I think part of the problem is I don't see doctors too much that I can interview them... for a person not in the industry, it's almost like people interviewing CEOs for me.. they're very well mannered and generally good speakers..... I went to two ear doctors from prominent schools and both gave different advice... I see that from dentist too...so, I struggle to get a good beat on them.

[schin]

On 6/20/2023 at 4:34 PM, Thrifty3000 said:

True story I like to share with people who have a specific life threatening issue - like cancer.

 

My mom had breast cancer in the 90s and then got a lymphoma about 10 years ago. Her (insert expletive) doctor, of course, referred her to a general oncologist within his own medical group.

 

Going to a general oncologist sounded like a death sentence to me, so I emailed a radiologist I knew that worked at a local, reputable, teaching hospital. I told her the situation and asked for her recommendation.

 

She then recommended a colleague that was one of the LEADING SPECIALISTS in the world on how to treat lymphomas in women who had already received chemo for breast cancer!

 

When we went to meet with that doctor they told us two things:

 

- there is not a cure for my mother’s cancer.

- but, he would collaborate on her case with other world-renowned specialists at MD Anderson, Emory, Hopkins, Mayo, etc to devise a treatment plan.

 

Fast forward through a few months of treatment and she was completely cured!!

 

Long story short, if you have a specific medical issue:

 

- do whatever it takes to find THE specialist and travel to meet with them! (I’m a big fan of teaching hospitals.)

- make sure they collaborate with other leading specialists at other reputable hospitals.

 

That is pretty amazing... other than hoping there is a doctor in your network... how do you find the specialist and part B, how can you get an appointment that is somewhat timely? 

[boilermaker75]

9 hours ago, schin said:

 

Having access to the Dr. Weisskopf, did it allow you all to get access to the drug trials or is there something he can do that others could not diagnose? My mom has Sjogren's Disease and there is no cure. Just treat the symptoms..... there is a phase 2 drug, but not sure if she will be given access to that. Is that Mayo doctor do better than the rest? They're smarter and more punctual?

 

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. 

[boilermaker75]

9 hours ago, schin said:

 

That is pretty amazing... other than hoping there is a doctor in your network... how do you find the specialist and part B, how can you get an appointment that is somewhat timely? 

 

I would look on YouTube for videos.

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2023 by boilermaker75

[Thrifty3000]

10 hours ago, schin said:

 

That is pretty amazing... other than hoping there is a doctor in your network... how do you find the specialist and part B, how can you get an appointment that is somewhat timely? 

 

I think when the life of a loved one is at stake it's appropriate to be shameless in seeking the care they need.

 

If you consider your entire network you're probably only 2 or 3 degrees away from a leading specialist. Somewhere in your network of family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, religious group, former classmates, civic organizations, kids' sports teams, social media, CoBF, etc there is someone who will gladly introduce you to someone that will gladly help you solve your problem. You just gotta be shameless and tenacious.

 

I learned the lesson from my dad when he was faced with my mom's first bout of cancer. After her doctor estimated a 20% chance of survival, my dad shamelessly leveraged his network to find a new doctor. He ultimately called the CEOs and Presidents of the largest hospital, health system, med school and health insurance provider in our state to ask for referrals. With their help they found a new doctor.

 

30 years later, much to my wife's dismay, my mom is still alive and kicking. Haha.

 

 

[Thrifty3000]

11 hours ago, schin said:

 

That is pretty amazing... other than hoping there is a doctor in your network... how do you find the specialist and part B, how can you get an appointment that is somewhat timely? 

 

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.

Edited June 23, 2023 by Thrifty3000

[Thrifty3000]

Here is a list of the top University Hospitals. Of course you have Hopkins and Mayo, which have been mentioned several times, but don't overlook the world-renowned healthcare providers in places like Tennessee, Alabama and North Carolina. It's usually pretty easy to navigate their websites to read about the doctors within each specialty and learn what their areas of focus/research are.