Looking for advice on finding a a PCP. My main concern is that I might already have arthritis. Even though my health insurance doesn’t require a referral the specialists that I have called so far will not see me without a referral from a PCP.
I don’t currently have one and am trying to find one. Just saw a new doctor for a physical. Felt like they were just going through the motions and was not a fan. I even told them that I wanted to see someone for my hands and also wanted a referral for someone to do a a prostate exam. Was told that that’s not not even necessary until age 65. Nothing was said about a referral for my hands.
I am the type that rarely goes to the doctor so any advice would be appreciated.
Might be stating something you already know, but ZocDoc might be what you’re looking for. You can put in your insurance and it will show you in-network doctors nearby, including reviews. I’ve only used it twice and am 1 for 2, finding a good PCP and a mediocre dermatologist, but it seems like a good place to start.
You should find someone that you like and trust, but there’s not much for that other than reading reviews around you and trying people out. Also could talk to friends/family in the area for who they like.
Could be lots of reasons, most likely imo is that they are a busy office and don’t want basic stuff. They only want things PCPs can’t handle. Obviously that’s a guess. However, if you’re looking a surgeon specialist I’d think that’s it, they get paid a lot more for procedures than clinic work. They don’t want to waste clinic time on people they won’t cut.
I’ve had this happen with a very busy dermatologist office. They wouldn’t see me without a referral from my PCP, even though I have a PPO plan and don’t require referrals.
Choosing a doctor is one of the most difficult consumer choices you can make. Practically everything is working against you other than the fact that medicine is highly regulated in developed countries with a decently high quality floor. You are essentially choosing services sight unseen with the added disadvantages of high information asymmetry and high switching costs. IME there are few good / reliable quality indicators (reviews, rankings, ratings, etc.) until you get into providers who are specifically known for particular diseases or types of surgery.
My dad was treated for it and participated in a study at a major cancer center a few years ago. They told my brother and me it was 50 for normals and 40-45 for us.
Primary care is tough because you’re basically shopping blind. Couple that with the fact that they are generally overworked and won’t be able to spend as much time with you. Unlike doctors who are credentialed in very specific ways (rare disease experts, surgical specialties) with resumes to match, it’s been hard for me to read a PCP background and determine really anything about them at all. The patient reviews tend to indicate bedside manner since no one is really qualified to evaluate the actual medical care. For example, my parents’ PCP gets good reviews because he’s a deplorable with a country doctor demeanor serving a Trumpy area, but I think the guy is a borderline quack.
My PCP has mixed reviews, mostly because he’s an excellent doctor with a matter-of-fact bedside manner. Basically if you’re overweight and have high cholesterol, he’s going to tell you to lose weight, exercise, and retest in 6 months or a year before he puts you on a med.
Getting a PCP is a good idea and you should do that. However, I wouldn’t abandon ship on trying to get into a specialist directly. How many rheumatologists have you tried?
last doctor I saw I immediately thought this is the dumbest person I’ve met since I was in college. Didn’t have the heart to say anything cause let’s face it wouldn’t have mattered.
I think that job is by far the most YMMV thing out there.
