Feeling Really Discouraged: Finding PCP in Easton/Sharon/Mansfield/Canton MA area...

[show&tell]

Hi, I've been very fortunate to have found healthcare providers that I am very happy with for my children and feel very good about the care that they are getting. However, I am really having a difficult time finding a PCP for my husband and I since our move to the area. I have some ongoing health concerns that aren't serious, but, need monitoring and it is important to me to have a PCP that takes our insurance. I just came back from a new PCP who was recommended to me and I'm totally discouraged. I'm literally in tears. I scheduled a physical and I had three specific concerns that I wanted to address. He helped me with one. I had to push back on him to get him to listen to me about the second and he literally ignored and talked over me when I tried to bring up the third concern two separate times. Additionally, he clearly disagreed philosophically about how I am treating one of my issues. Finally, he basically rushed me out of the office and proceeded to tell me that he is on vacation all next week starting this afternoon -- I was clearly inconveniencing him by being there (my theory is, if he didn't want to see patients because he was going on vacation he should have instructed his office staff to not set up appointments then and not take it out on me for being there). 

Maybe I'm ridiculous, but, I'm looking for a doctor who (1) listens to their patients concerns, (2) responds with thoughtful recommendations and explains why they are making the recommendation, (3) isn't clearly in a hurry to get out of the examination room, (4) isn't in a rush to prescribe drugs for ailments that can be alleviated with lifestyle change, (5) is aware of and open to alternative treatment methods, (6) really cares about the patient as a whole person. I am beginning to believe that there just isn't such a doctor out there anymore.

If anyone has any recommendations anywhere near (I'm willing to drive 20ish minutes for the right provider) my area, I would be more than grateful.

I know that this is a mothering forum -- but I'm out of resources and I'm hoping this community can help me.

Many thanks!

[jessjgh1]

I'm on the South Shore but you might have some luck posting on the SShore AP forum because some of the families live in the Milton/Quincy area- a little closer to you.   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SouthShoreAP/    

I just had a 'rushed' appointment and am changing doctors because of it- it was even more frustrating because I was supposed to have been given a longer slot for my appointment. I had mentioned to the scheduler I had multiple concerns.  I brought my list with me and went over the 4-5 concerns I wanted to discuss at the beginning of the appt and even though we had not even used up the time, she was rushing me out.  So, I'd suggest asking how long your appointment is for.  I didn't do that with mine and I was obviously being rushed.  I was quite livid when I found out after asking the receptionist that I had supposed to have been blocked for a 30 minutes appointment (I had not been with the doctor 30 minutes, not even including the time with the nurse for the prescreen).   My scheduled appt was 10:00 and it was 10:35... I had arrived on time (but just), checked in, waited for my turn, talked to the nurse, waited about 5 minutes for the dr, collected my stuff and waited in line to speak to the receptionist.  So yeah, I expected that my doctor should have had time to look at one more issue. 

I've had better luck with family practice doctors with smaller practices.  

I hope you find someone!

Jessica

[show&tell]

Hi, Jessica - thanks, I'll try the other board. Sorry to hear about your recent appointment, it seems like a widespread problem. That is a good thought, to ask how long the appointment is for. I actually never considered that. I wish I could afford to just go to a naturopath as a PCP, I think that is what I really want. It just doesn't make financial sense for me. Good luck in your search!