Selecting a Primary Care Provider?

[royalstarrynight]

The PCP I've been using for most of my adult life seems to be less detailed oriented lately and a little too prescription pad happy for me. I am trying to find a PCP but asides from asking for references which also seem dicey depending on the person, how do you choose your primary/family care doctor?

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

I honestly pick from the list of who is covered and choose the ones that are closest or most convenient. Then, if I don't like them, I switch. I've had three PCP's and finally found one I really like.

 

[missy]

I find my doctors by either recommendation from a friend/family member or from another health care practitioner.

My primary care doctor has been my PCP for about 15 years now and I found him through a colleague who had been going to him for a few years. She couldn't stop raving about how great he was and I was in search of a PCP at that time. 15 years later and he is still my doctor and in fact now my dh's (who is super picky about his doctors) doctor and a few of my friends go to him now as well. He listens to you and takes his time with you. He is thoughtful and cautious and not medication happy. For all those reasons I am pleased with him and my care with him. I have never had another doctor (besides my dermatologist) who actually listens to me and doesn't rush with the visit.

So my recommendation to you is ask your friends (those who are pleased with their doctors) and ask your other doctors-those who you trust and respect. Good luck. I hope you find an excellent PCP.

 

[diamondringlover]

I am going to a new PCP tomorrow I looked online at reviews and then I looked at how close they are to my house. Hopefully this doctor is better is better then the horrible doctor I have right now!

 

[zoebartlett]

I honestly pick from the list of who is covered and choose the ones that are closest or most convenient.

This is what I do, too. I also prefer females, so I take that into consideration when looking at a practice. I've lucked out with the past few doctors I've had. I don't like the lack of late afternoon appointments, but I think I'd run into that anywhere so I haven't switched practices.

 

[momhappy]

I don't even have one. I have a female GYN doc that I see annually, but for anything else, I typically go to my local doctor's office that has walk-in hours.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I always pick one by word of mouth.

 

[azstonie]

I like a practice with at least 2 physicians so you are covered when your doc is out of the office. I like a walk in or work in policy for when you NEED to be seen.

Admitting privileges at a hospital you feel is excellent.

 

[JulieN]

I pick one that isn't very busy. I don't like rushed practitioners, and I don't like waiting more than half an hour for an appointment.

 

[zoebartlett]

When looking at a specific practice, it might be worth asking how many nurse practitioners there are. Much of the time, that's who you might be seeing instead of your PCP.

 

[House Cat]

Angie's List has a service where you can look up physicians and dentists. You pay a few extra dollars per month over their standard fee for this service. I have been meaning to add this to my regular service to check it out. It might be worth it?

Services like this can be hit and miss, depending on how active your area might be in actually writing reviews. It does seem to me that people WILL write reviews on very very good doctors and very very bad doctors.

What I like about Angie's List is that reviews are verified. The vendor can't give themselves false positive reviews like they can on Yelp.

 

[MisterMadelise]

You can call your local hospital and see if they have a physician concierge or referral service done by their marketing team. A lot of times they market for the physicians contracted with them. You can then make them do the work. Tell them specifically what type of physician you're seeking, personality, etc., and if they accept your insurance.

 

[April20]

I looked up docs on my insurance website and then picked a multi doc practice that is five mins from home. I've had to go on spur of the moment twice now when I was sick and each time they've been able to see me within the hour. I've been very satisfied with the care I received and how quickly they will get you in. I hate not feeling well and then being told that I can't be seen for three days. I refuse to use practices like that.

 

[luv2sparkle]

The doctors in my area are from two specific medical groups and I am not fond of either. I kept my dr. in the mountains (where we lived 10 years ago) because it is considered rural and I have found it easier to get referrals. I can pretty much go where I want, because there is not that many specialist in the San Bernardino mountains. The thing I have found most frustrating when I changed the rest of my families providers is that the doctors required a 2 hr initial visit before they would even see a patient. Plus, you have to schedule an appointment several months out. We have lived here 10 years, and my husband and youngest child (who is 1 are just now getting that appointment next month. We have lived using urgent care and getting vaccines at places like CVS. We finally chose a provider who was really close to our home, and I read all the reviews I could find on him. He was also in the smaller of the two medical groups. The other is at a well known teaching hospital and the red tape of that medical group makes me nuts, so it was the best choice for us.