What type of doctor is your Primary/GP

Mine is an internist but I barely go for her for anything anymore besides a physical. She doesn't seem to be real up on Crohns related issues. I was having problems with my eyes & when I saw her about it, I mentioned that sometimes Crohns people have eye problems. She took a look & said I was fine. I self-referred to an ophthalmologist a week later & had uveitis. I asked my PCP about seeing a rheumy when I was on Humira, she said it was probably arthritis & I was fine. I self-referred to a rheumy & was dx'd with the beginnings of lupus. I was thinking of joining an MDVIP but it's so dang expensive! It sounds great, though.

I'm in the same boat--looking for a good family doc/GP/PCP. I'm still figuring out what internists (internal medicine doctors) are, but it seems like they're more concerned with chronic conditions rather than general all-around health.

I'm curious if anybody has a preference of MD vs. DO.

I see 2 GI's, a Rhuemy, an Eye Doctor, a GYN, a Neuro, an Endo, a Pediatrist, and a Derm. But my GP still is the one who writes most of my scripts and handles all of my referrals, so I really need to have someone who understands what is going on and can get things done. Plus I need to get in to see who ever before this switch is made or I will be left up the proverbial creek, so I have a few weeks to make an appointment then another few weeks to get things moved over. I know my insurance will just tell me I can pick anyone and change if I don't like them, but that really won't work for me, cause I'm a control freak!!!

MikeB--thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Reading up on MDs vs. DOs, that's been my impression as well, that they're pretty similar though standards for MDs are a bit more rigorous. However, a couple of nurses have told me that they prefer DOs because they consider them more "holistic" in preventing diseases rather than just treating symptoms. I'm not sure what to make of the "Osteopathic manipulative medicine"--seems kind of like chiropractic techniques, except for the entire body.

My Grandfather was an Osteopath and I was brought up to basically believe that chiropractors were quacks. Somethings are hard to get over. I'm sure the training is a lot more rigorous now, but I think I will stick with someone who can use the full spectrum of the medical arsenal.

In the past I've always favored osteopaths - but any more they are pretty much just MDs w/a DO after their name. Most seem to abandon manipulation once they get into practice. At least in our area. The best GP I ever had, and had him for years, was a DO. The dirty bird had the audacity to die on me! You have my sympathies having to "doctor shop" today. I was spoiled by him for years and I'm not the easiest patient for doctors to work with between having him so many years and having so much experience w/Mayo Clinic in MN between family and myself.

The only internist I ever saw, when doctor shopping after my DO GPs death, was one of the two worst doctors I ever encountered. I went to him for my Crohn's, this was back in the late 70's. He wanted to do a bone marrow. For Crohn's?? I asked him why. He told me it wasn't necessary for me to know, I was "just" the patient, it was sufficient that, he, the doctor wanted to do one. Needless to say we parted company on less than friendly terms.

I was fortunate to find a good GP again, an MD this time as it turned out. But SHE had the audacity to die on me! This was in the late 90's. There'd been a lot of changes in medicine in the intervening 20 years that I hadn't been exposed to!!! Doctor shopping was an even more "interesting" and difficult experience this time around. It was this doctor shopping go round when I needed a pulmonologist but still hadn't found a GP that I encountered the other of the two worst doctors I've ever encountered! He was a pulmonologist.

I was fortunate though. I did find a good family practitioner and we make a good team. Other than this began my experience w/specialists which up until then I pretty much had had no experience w/other than at Mayo. But he's made some darn good referrals!!! An outstanding Endocrinologist, an tremendous Ob/Gyn (both wasted as specialists they would make such GREAT family doctors!!). I make sure that my GP is provided w/results of EVERYTHING, every test, every procedure, etc. that the specialists order. I even usually have him write my specialists' script renewals. I found my gastro on my own before I found him.

Here's a non-PC, ageist question! ;) How about doctor preference based on age? Do you prefer younger, middle-aged, or older doctors?

At one local support group, several of the patients complained about some of the older doctors at a GI clinic. They said they seemed to lack compassion, willingness to listen, patience, openness to new treatments, etc. I have to say that I could probably make the same generalization based on my own experience. My GI docs are in their 30's and are very patient, helpful, forthcoming with info, etc. A couple much older docs I encountered were downright rude and acted like all they wanted to do was punch their card and get paid. On the flip-side, I've encountered some younger doctors who seemed brash and impatient, and some older doctors who were great. Another plus for younger doctors is that they'll be around longer. I imagine doctors do sometimes reach a burnout point after so many years in practice, and also maybe they tend to want to stick to the tried-and-true rather than keep an open mind to new developing treatments.

I've got a youngish (32) male DO, sharp as a tack. I totally rely on him. When he sees me, he can actually remember exactly what my pyoderma looked like healingwise the month before (I go about monthly) and that amazes me. Youth has its advantages LOL.

I see a GI for my CD, but my primary care doctor is an MD/DO. He's the first doctor that actuallly would talk to me about the various medications I'm on, how they might interact, and discuss options. I have a variety of ailments and also see a psychiatrist for general anxiety, so I get comfort in being able to talk to the MD/DO to discuss what the other docs are prescribing. Asking nurses is a great idea.