Struggling to find a good doctor.

Hi! Very new around here. Gonna try to keep this kinda short.

Spent the better part of last year with increasing stomach problems up until a Crohn's
diagnosis last September (51yo male with fam history CD/UC). Started Humira and have begun to suffer some side-effects.
Would like to entertain other treatment options.
Biggest problem is that my GI (Naturally, i just met the man) is not performing anywhere near the mountain of 4.5 star reviews that he has. I've become pretty suspect of that number. Answering service is unintelligible, return calls are non existent. Office staff apparently not doing their job.

So, short of having any 'cronies' in the area, how does one go about finding a great GI when the online reviews appear corrupt? Thanks, Rob

Post Edited (BirdDog) : 1/11/2022 7:13:27 PM (GMT-7)

I usually ask in my neighborhood community Facebook pages. I'm pretty open about my health, so I say something like, "Hey, new to the area. I've got Crohn's and am looking for a GI. Does anyone have any recommendations? Or people to avoid?"

Then I also find the hospital system nearest me that I like, and see which GIs there are.

Then I set up appts with a bunch of them and go to them. You can usually tell in the first visit if the guy is a jerk or not. How kind the office staff is when I call is also another indicator.

Sometimes, though, it's a lot of hit or miss.. I've had severe Crohn's for 12 years, and I've moved a lot so I have lot of experience finding new doctors. I moved again 4 years ago, and I still went through like 3 or 4 GIs before I finally found this one. Even then, I don't really love her. Or rather, her asisstant I don't love. But she's in the same office as my OB, and I absolutely LOVE my OB. Once I'm done having kids and no longer need my OB as much, I might get a new GI. Until then, I'll put up with this GI.

Another way to find out is next time you are in the ER or something, ask the nurses which GI doctors are their favorites. Some may not answer this question ("oh, they're all good") but others will hint. Sometimes I phrase it as, "If you were to choose a GI to go to, who would you call first?"

I'd also recommend understanding what other medical staff and office support there is. My GI is great, super responsive, keeps on top of new research, etc. but I also have orked a lot with the PA there who handles infusion patients and she's phenomenal (she left the practice briefly and I would have followed her if she hadn't gone academic...luckily she's back now). Re: staff, my GI's office (there are many docs and offices) has a whole team to handle insurance issues (as crop up with getting prior authorizations, etc. for biologics).

Definitely make sure they specialize in IBD, too. You want someone who lives and breathes Crohn's.

Now you're making me jealous!
It is nice to have a team of helpers when you are reaching out for help. I'll never understand the poor behavior some professionals allow their office staff to exhibit. All things to note.
I'm not looking for a good GI. I deserve great!

Good luck!! <3