Chief Dick Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 So I'm 41, and I need to schedule a full physical. It's been many years since I've had an actual physical, and my family doctor is the same guy I've been going to since I was 17. He is a family practitioner. His office is about 35 minutes away from my house, and he's at the age where he is going to retire soon. So I'm hunting for a new doctor. The guy that sits next to me goes to a guy whose office is about 3 minutes from my house. He is a doctor of internal medicine. My question is: 1. Does this matter? 2. Is this the type of doctor I should be looking for as I get older? 3. Should I look for a Family Practitioner instead of a doctor of internal medicine? FWIW, my co-worker really likes the guy because he actually spends time explaining things and doesn't try to rush out of the room. What say you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 So I'm 41, and I need to schedule a full physical. It's been many years since I've had an actual physical, and my family doctor is the same guy I've been going to since I was 17. He is a family practitioner. His office is about 35 minutes away from my house, and he's at the age where he is going to retire soon. So I'm hunting for a new doctor. The guy that sits next to me goes to a guy whose office is about 3 minutes from my house. He is a doctor of internal medicine. My question is: 1. Does this matter? 2. Is this the type of doctor I should be looking for as I get older? 3. Should I look for a Family Practitioner instead of a doctor of internal medicine? FWIW, my co-worker really likes the guy because he actually spends time explaining things and doesn't try to rush out of the room. What say you? My understanding is that most family practitioners are doctors of internal medicine....but IANAD, so maybe someone else will be able to give a better answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 FWIW, my co-worker really likes the guy because he actually spends time explaining things and doesn't try to rush out of the room. What say you? IMO, if you can find a doctor with this quality (actually listening instead of trying to crowbar more patients in to a given period), go for it. If there's one thing I hate about doctors, it's the failure to listen and the failure to appreciate some of their patients aren't complete nitwits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeteebee Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Cut and pasted from Yahoo answers but it looks right: A family practice doc after med school completes a 3 year family medicine residency. Their job is basically primary care for anyone ranging from infants to the elderly. These guys you usually find working out of clinics or offices, they can be in hospital but generally are not. If you think of the small town doc who can do everything from deliver a baby or care for the dying, that's a family practice doc. An General Internist go through a 3 year residency in Internal Medicine. There primary goal is diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of specifically adults. They can be primary care similar to the family practice doc except only in adults or they can be in a more acute care setting in hospitals like in the ICU. After their residency, an internal medicine doc can then specialize into various fields like Gastroenterology, cardiology, neurology, endocrinology etc. etc. One more thing, a General Practitioner or GP is not equivalent to either of these fields. A GP has completed a 1 year internship post medical school and has not done any further training. Calling an Internist or Family doc, a "GP", is actually derogatory and you are insulting them. Really, at your age you just need to find the doctor with the smallest hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 (edited) for an everyday doctor, I'd care a lot more about bedside manner and such than about his specialization anyway Edited February 15, 2011 by Azazello1313 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 (edited) IMO, if you can find a doctor with this quality (actually listening instead of trying to crowbar more patients in to a given period), go for it. If there's one thing I hate about doctors, it's the failure to listen and the failure to appreciate some of their patients aren't complete nitwits. +1 bazillion! I go to a DO. He's great! He listens, takes all the time YOU need, never in a hurry. Will discuss options and consider MY suggs.. One thing an oldtimer told me years ago...Once you pass 45-50yo, you'll find that you will also need specialists. Gastro, Ortho, etc.. That doesn't negate the Family Practice guy, and actually having a good one helps you find the specialists w/ a similar persona. Edited February 15, 2011 by rocknrobn26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliaz Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 So I'm 41, and I need to schedule a full physical. It's been many years since I've had an actual physical, and my family doctor is the same guy I've been going to since I was 17. He is a family practitioner. His office is about 35 minutes away from my house, and he's at the age where he is going to retire soon. So I'm hunting for a new doctor. The guy that sits next to me goes to a guy whose office is about 3 minutes from my house. He is a doctor of internal medicine. My question is: 1. Does this matter? 2. Is this the type of doctor I should be looking for as I get older? 3. Should I look for a Family Practitioner instead of a doctor of internal medicine? FWIW, my co-worker really likes the guy because he actually spends time explaining things and doesn't try to rush out of the room. What say you? It's about the same thing when it comes down to it. I left my family doctor back in 2000 (Had been going to him since 85 minus my time in the military) because I simply did not like him. He wouldn't listen to me and make assumptions. So I went to an internal medicine guy and fell in love with that place. Dr. Wong was sit and talk things through with me and never rushed me through his practice. In fact, when I had a freak of nature issue with a MRI machine he took his own personal time to research if any other people had experienced what I did (It felt like my internal organs were vibrating and shaking inside of my gut. Felt like I was full of snakes) and researched the particular MRI machine I was in. Turns out he believes because I drank a good amount of water that I was feeling the water vibrating inside of me due to the MRI machine. It really boils down to if you like a doctor or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 It's about the same thing when it comes down to it. I left my family doctor back in 2000 (Had been going to him since 85 minus my time in the military) because I simply did not like him. He wouldn't listen to me and make assumptions. So I went to an internal medicine guy and fell in love with that place. Dr. Wong was sit and talk things through with me and never rushed me through his practice. In fact, when I had a freak of nature issue with a MRI machine he took his own personal time to research if any other people had experienced what I did (It felt like my internal organs were vibrating and shaking inside of my gut. Felt like I was full of snakes) and researched the particular MRI machine I was in. Turns out he believes because I drank a good amount of water that I was feeling the water vibrating inside of me due to the MRI machine. It really boils down to if you like a doctor or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 ....but IANAD, so maybe someone else will be able to give a better answer. IANAD? I tried as best I could, but could not fit holiday inn express in your acronym. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 IANAD? I tried as best I could, but could not fit holiday inn express in your acronym. I ate nads and dongs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeteebee Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 IANAD? I tried as best I could, but could not fit holiday inn express in your acronym. I am not a Dr.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I am not a Dr.? That's what I surmised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Does he have big fingers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I am not a Dr.? yer smaat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Note sent; you should go to my doctor. Especially if its the same guy your co-worker goes to seeing how my guy is only like three minutes from where you work, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share Posted February 16, 2011 Note sent; you should go to my doctor. Especially if its the same guy your co-worker goes to seeing how my guy is only like three minutes from where you work, too. Got your text. I'll give you a ring tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 a quick thought on doctors and why I love mine--I didnt realize this till last month, but a doctor that knows his limitations and isnt afraid to call in help when a medical situation gets way too complicated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I am not a Dr.? That's what I thought it meant too. DO's, family practioners, and internists are all considered prmary care physicians and will suffice for your needs. I agree with all the others in this thread who have stressed bedside manner in picking a physician. The doctor needs to have good listening skills and needs to make you feel at ease during your appointment in his office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 a quick thought on doctors and why I love mine--I didnt realize this till last month, but a doctor that knows his limitations and isnt afraid to call in help when a medical situation gets way too complicated That's another thing about my Doc. No less than 3 doctors he has referred me to have said "That's why I like Dr. V.. He knows when to hand-off the ball." Unlike Cutler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 That's what I thought it meant too. DO's, family practioners, and internists are all considered prmary care physicians and will suffice for your needs. I agree with all the others in this thread who have stressed bedside manner in picking a physician. The doctor needs to have good listening skills and needs to make you feel at ease during your appointment in his office. Hey, doc, you taking on any new clients? I could manage to fly out to SD once a year for my physical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Hey, doc, you taking on any new clients? I could manage to fly out to SD once a year for my physical. innes not outes, unless we get surgery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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