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Post by linda72 on Jan 17, 2017 15:02:49 GMT
My family practitioner called me last night around 6 pm. Very unusual for her to call and at first I was worried some report came back bad for me until I realized I had not been to the doctor in months. She called to tell me she was retiring March 1 and I would need a new doctor. I've been with her since 1982 and we've been through so much: her divorce and cancer (twice), my cancers (3x), death of my son, the list goes on and on. We've grown up together and I will miss her so much. But now, in the light of a new day, I have to decide do I switch to a family practitioner or an internist? I studied this topic on line and while both types of doctors can do the same things, the main difference I've seen, at least in Houston, is a F.P. usually don't have hospital privileges while Internists do. Would that matter? If I'm in the hospital for heart problems, my cardiologist would be there. If I have cancer, my oncologist would be there. Would it be necessary to have my internist there too?
I'm looking for suggestions. Thank you!
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Post by zazzles on Jan 17, 2017 15:27:17 GMT
In my youth, doctors went into medicine to save lives and relieve human suffering. They often treated patients for very low fees or even for free. They made a nice living, but didn’t necessarily see themselves as businessmen.
My impression for the past 20+ years has been that most younger doctors see themselves first as businessmen looking to build a practice, make money, and retire early. At least in my area.
No matter whether you chose an internist, general practice, surgeon, or family practice physician, you probably should interview them and try to determine how you are going to feel being their patient.
Some questions I’d ask a doctor in an interview, based on my experiences, are: — Are you board certified? — How accessible are you if I develop a problem suddenly? If I call for an appointment, will I be put off for days or weeks, or will I be fit into your schedule? — If I call for help in determining whether I need to see you, will you call me back to discuss my concern within the day or will your staff just tell me to make an appointment? — When I have an appointment, how long can I expect to sit in your waiting room before you see me? Is it your practice to double- or triple-book appointments? — What is your billing practice? Do you expect me to pay before you receive payment from my insurance or will I receive an invoice after my patient responsibility is fully known.
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cyndee
Transcendent Member
191.2/191.2/164
Posts: 970
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Post by cyndee on Jan 17, 2017 15:34:41 GMT
I'm not sure of this, but I would guess that an internist might have more connections at the local hospital than the family practitioner. Just a guess. I have received many referrals from my psychiatrist to other doctors because my psychiatrist is affiliated with my local hospital. My internist is usually able to see me at fairly short notice depending on my symptoms (the nurse usually makes decisions on whom to see for "emergency" appointments), but if that is not the case with local internists in your area, then I can understand liking the family practitioners better
It was always my understanding that internists only treat adults, whereas family practitioners can also treat children/teens. If this is the case I'd think internists might have a leg up on family practitioners for adults, given the specialty. But if the family likes just one doctor for all family members, then the family practitioner might be preferable.
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Post by ksbruns on Jan 17, 2017 15:41:10 GMT
Linda, I always thought I had to have an internist, but a few years ago, I just found it impossible to get in with one, and have had family practitioners for about 6 years now...I've loved the ones I've had, they have been very current in their thinking. As you said, you'd probably have a specialist for most things anyway.
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amy
Epic Member
Posts: 82
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Post by amy on Jan 17, 2017 16:04:21 GMT
I've had both over the years. My insurance has me in a hospital system and when I chose my primary care physician I chose an internist. When I got to her office it was filled with sick kiddos. Turns out she was also a pediatrician. And, it turns out, I didn't relate to her at all as far as my health and dietary needs. So all my research turned out to be pretty useless.
Talk with friends about their primary doctors and if they love theirs and the dr sounds like someone you might like and they take your insurance, see if they're taking new patients.
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Post by linda72 on Jan 17, 2017 18:00:49 GMT
Thank you for the thoughts and suggestions. I have names of both an internist and a F.P. so I will be checking them out. I hate starting over but I've had to do this for specialists so I can do this too.
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Post by sullicat1 on Jan 17, 2017 18:29:30 GMT
I have doctor phobia so I'm not sure I should even respond. I go to a physicians assistant who works within a family practice. They all have hospital,privileges. I've never had a problem getting an appointment although I did when I went to an internist. When necessary, either one will refer you to a specialist so I think it boils down to who you feel more comfortable with.
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Post by fullmahina on Jan 17, 2017 19:31:06 GMT
Just as an aside, you might find that an internist or family practitioner will not be the one who will take care of you in the hospital should you need inpatient care that is not taken care of by a specialist. Increasingly, hospitals are hiring "hospitalists" to provide care for patients in house. They are there 24/7, on call at all times, and handle treatment of inpatients from admission to discharge. Your personal physician may or may not stop in and take a look at your chart and say hi but may have very little to do with your actual care. Things have changed immensely since I started as a nurse in the '70's. My last 20+ years were in ICU and by the end of my run, we overwhelmingly used intensivists (ICU specialist docs) to care for our patients with the very rare "private" patient. Big teaching hospitals, YMMV. Specialists came in upon request but they were considered consultants and wrote consults but all orders were actually written by the intensivists or ICU residents. I would go with whomever your long-time physician recommends.
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Post by lmenglish on Jan 17, 2017 20:04:33 GMT
I would ask your friend who is retiring. FP here in Florida have privileges and like Fullamina said you would probably see a hospitalist. It is getting so specialized these days but you need a "gate Keeper". That being said, I see a Nurse practioner in my FP office and love her! But I have no health issues.
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Post by linda72 on Jan 17, 2017 20:47:54 GMT
fullmahina & lmenglish Thank you for your responses. When my Dr. called last night, she said all of her patient records were being transferred to a group of F.P. In fact, they have asked her to come work with them but for the moment, she needs to rest. (and I respect that) She said I could transfer anywhere and request my records to go to the new doctor. But, the fact she recommends this group is an important rec. to me. I will probably go there and try one and see how I feel. The fact that it's a group means I will probably have no trouble getting in on a short notice. (that was an issue in the past as my Dr. was a lone practitioner. She could never take off.) My big concern was the hospital issue but it sounds like my concept of how hospitals work today is out dated. I have 2 large hospital systems close to me and I'm sure they offer services like fullmahina mentioned (intensivists) I most likely would end up at one of these 2 hospitals for treatments. Again, thank you for your insights. I'm just a little uneasy since I've been with Dr. E for 35 years. Wow!
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amy
Epic Member
Posts: 82
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Post by amy on Jan 17, 2017 21:30:29 GMT
Wow. I've never heard of a "hospitalist" before... Times are really changing(changed).
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Post by ksbruns on Jan 17, 2017 22:03:25 GMT
I'm grateful I haven't heard all the new terminology...3 cheers for staying well!
I'm a little sad that I've passed the window of opportunity for ever having a doctor for 35 years, though....😜
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Post by linda72 on Jan 17, 2017 22:08:09 GMT
ksbruns I have a friend whose parents are alive and doing well and they are 95 & 94. So, Kathy....there's still time!! LOL!!
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Post by jamescat1 on Jan 17, 2017 22:13:34 GMT
They both have hospital connections. My primary care physician's office manager makes appointments for me with whatever specialists I need. I would check out the physicians who belong to the group she recommended and see what reviews are for them. Make sure you are assigned the physician in the group that is the best because they are not all the same. When one of my specialists retired I chose not to go to the group that received all of his records as there were no doctors in the group I cared to see. Sometimes they transfer to a close friend or to a fellow church member as happened with our dentist. Choose a competent skilled doctor who isn't too old so he or she won't be retiring in the next five years. You can interview doctors too as my daughter did with pediatricians. My doctor cares about the total patient. She asks about exercise and well being as well as physical issues. She suggests OTC medications in addition to giving me prescriptions so I think she takes care of all of my basic medical needs. When I had my knee surgery two hospitalists checked on me during the weekend I was in the hospital. It is a good job for a physician who does not want the overhead of an office or the call duty that comes with being in a group. They are competent physicians but really could do nothing more than check my charts and make sure my doctor's orders were being followed. Whomever you choose, the important factor is that he or she accepts your insurance and you will also find out the hospital system the doctor uses to send patients.
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Post by sullicat1 on Jan 17, 2017 23:07:25 GMT
I forgot about the hospitalist. When I was in the hospital in 2015 that's who came to see me every day. But once you leave the hospital there is no contact with them.
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