Picking a medical doctor

**East Detroit** · May-16-09, 12:49 PM

A friend of mine is looking for a good medical doctor.

What criteria and/or sources do you use in picking a good doctor?

**Olddetroiter** · May-16-09, 12:53 PM

Recommendations from people you can trust who have had personal experience with the doctor.

**Sstashmoo** · May-16-09, 01:35 PM

[X] Smokin' hot receptionist.

**gibran** · May-16-09, 02:53 PM

My sister [[ very proud of her)...always had her staff by her side socially an delsewise ...her nurses were devoted to her... I think that is what i was always proud of her ..and the fact she kept her microscope hidden form the admin...[[long ago) so she could spend time with her patients...so i would say staff time and patients.. I have had two medical directors in my past life as an Rehab. Director that would round with me and we would spend time with our patients together so when we staffed with our treatment teams they would really know the rehab. plans from a -z...in fact they would call me all the time for my opinion of their folks were doing good or bad ...to get the treatment teams input...that's a good MD

in fact what i found successful for people with chronic pain is that they could gain "some" control y being active with their MD..slow them down ...ahve alist of questions that they needed to have answered...you would be surprised what a little self advocacy does to get a MD's attention and help a person navigate through the healthcare maze.

**Pam** · May-16-09, 03:11 PM

You forgot "is on my HMO network".
That's all I look at, since I don't have any health issues.

**Gannon** · May-16-09, 08:13 PM

It is best to not pick anything before it is ripe.

Stosh · May-16-09, 08:19 PM

I'd prefer one that won't kill me with his arrogance. The "I know better" attitude. Competency is key in my book. I think that one that is in my medical insurance program is also a good choice. $$$

I wonder if there are any rating systems online that can give a prospective patient an idea of what their potential doctor has done in the past?

LodgeDodger · May-17-09, 07:25 AM

Good points for choosing a doctor. I'd add one more--the doctor must keep appointment times. I understand the occasional emergency, but sitting in the waiting room long past my appointment time can be a reason for me to look for a new doctor. If I go to a doctor who "packs" their waiting room, I won't return.

I don't care if they're excellent--if they have such little respect for my time they're off my list.

**Ray1936** · May-17-09, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by LodgeDodger

Good points for choosing a doctor. I'd add one more--the doctor must keep appointment times. I understand the occasional emergency, but sitting in the waiting room long past my appointment time can be a reason for me to look for a new doctor. If I go to a doctor who "packs" their waiting room, I won't return.

Couldn't agree more, Dodger. I've had a few horror stories about long waits that I won't bother to go in to, but some physicians are complete morons in their scheduling. Yes, they can 'fall behind' on occasion, but when it's a guarantee, it's time to find a new doc.

On the other hand, I've seen some staff employees in physician's offices that -- I swear -- didn't know squat. That's another turn off.

ccbatson · May-17-09, 06:09 PM

The wait is not what really matters. In fact, a decent measure of quality is the wait time...demand for their services making them busy. The demand is high when the Physician is desirable. I know it can be frustrating, but some things are worth the wait.

cheddar bob · May-17-09, 09:43 PM

The number one determining point when choosing a doctor should be to ensure that he is not ccbatson.

**1KielsonDrive** · May-17-09, 10:26 PM

The question posed by this thread is based on the assumptions that you have: #1. Medical coverage. #2. You can afford medical coverage. #3. Insurance companies will cover you if they care to. #4. Those same companies will pay your medical bills. #5. You have enough money after the crash to pay your medical bills. #6. You have any equity left in your property to convert to cash to pay your medical bills. #7. You still have your mental and physical health after fighting for medical coverage. #8. Etc, etc, blah, blah, blah. You're fu+#*d!

LodgeDodger · May-17-09, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by ccbatson

The wait is not what really matters. In fact, a decent measure of quality is the wait time...demand for their services making them busy. The demand is high when the Physician is desirable. I know it can be frustrating, but some things are worth the wait.

Not every time, Bats. If a doctor has a poor scheduling record, I'm walking.

**Bigb23** · May-17-09, 11:17 PM

My Doctor had the Caribbean cruise pictures with his nurses plastered throughout his clinic. Also his ghost written article for a Pharmaceutical magazine. All paid for by the Pharmaceuticals. My last office visit cost me $100 . The blonde salesperson with the lunch, will be first in line.

**Bigb23** · May-17-09, 11:26 PM

Batts - can I turn my head and cough with you. You can buy me breakfast.

ccbatson · May-18-09, 12:03 AM

Understandable that many, maybe most patients will not tolerate wait times. Unfortunately it may be their serious loss in the long run. In the meanwhile, the busy Doc that you walk away from is not aware, or harmed by your departure [[he/she is very very busy, remember?).

**ghettopalmetto** · May-18-09, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by ccbatson

Understandable that many, maybe most patients will not tolerate wait times. Unfortunately it may be their serious loss in the long run. In the meanwhile, the busy Doc that you walk away from is not aware, or harmed by your departure [[he/she is very very busy, remember?).

The doctor who doesn't have respect for his patients and their valuable time will lose out in the long run. You're a professional service provider in a [[kinda) free market, not the Oracle of Delphi.

**Bigb23** · May-18-09, 01:09 AM

Well -we have a mindset here- Understandable that many, maybe most ,patients will not tolerate wait times. Unfortunately it may be their serious loss in the long run. In the meanwhile, the busy Doc that you walk away from is not aware, [[HUH), [[OR DUH), or harmed by your departure [[he/she is very very busy, remember?).[[A busy GP.)

**grumpyoldlady** · May-18-09, 03:02 AM

I don't mind waiting LONG past my appointment time, because if the doctor is taking extra time with someone, it must be necessary, and it means he will take extra time with ME if needed. I don't like being rushed out of the office so a doctor can stay on schedule, and I have changed doctors for just that reason. I doctor needs to LISTEN, and if that means extra time, so be it! If you value time over a doctor who will listen and keep asking questions and listening until both he and the patient are satisfied that everything has been covered, good luck!

**thnk2mch** · May-18-09, 06:53 AM

I always get uptight waiting and waitng way past my appointment time to be seen - until it is MY turn and I remember why I see that particular Doctor in the first place. I like him, and the time he spends answering every question I ask. If he rushed me out, I would not return.

On another thread, wasn't waiting for dinner at Slow's worth a two hour wait?

**East Detroit** · May-18-09, 07:21 AM

Maybe it depends on it being your ribs versus someone else's?

**rb336** · May-18-09, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by ccbatson

The wait is not what really matters. In fact, a decent measure of quality is the wait time...demand for their services making them busy. The demand is high when the Physician is desirable. I know it can be frustrating, but some things are worth the wait.

or they consistently overbook because the only way to increase revenues is to see more patients

I had a GREAT internl medicine doc for 8 years at Henry Ford. He left for a post at Johns Hopkins, haven't found a suitable replacement yet.

I hate doc hunting, there is just no way to tell what you are going to get.

I have yet to have a doctor explain why he/she decided on "x" medicine instead of "y" even when I ask ahead of time

**Bobl** · May-18-09, 09:47 AM

I'm one of nearly fifty million who is rationed out of health care. It would make little sense to see a doctor until a new job, with medical benefits, is found. Better to not have a pre existing condition that might be found during a routine exam that would disqualify me.
I get furious when I see the swift boat ads by "Consumers For Patient Rights" dismiss the millions of people in my situation, then use the word "ration" to scare others with their misleading ad campaign.