PCPs tossing you around

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Jenn

Just does not seem like primary care physicians want to actually take care of you anymore (or maybe I need to fire mine). Instead they catch one little hint of something or hear a little complaint and instantly send you to the next doctor instead of actually trying to help you. Just seems like they do not practice general medicine anymore. If you have a little pain here or there they have to instantly send you to a specialist.


Just saying, is all! GRrrrrrrrrrrrr.......

My fiance is a PCP and I do a lot of work with a company that does a significant amount of industry research/reporting about medical care, doctor efficiency and a number of other metrics within the industry.

For starters... Blame those scum bag lawyers and the dirt bags that sue for whatever reason possible.

PCP's have the complication of coordinating pretty much *all* of their patient's care. Specialists will do a very focused assessment, provide treatment with necessary and then say "follow up with your primary". Then it's the PCP's burden to make sure that specialist's intervention doesn't interact with anything else going on (and is it almost always does).

When certain tests come back abnormal, the PCP has almost no choice legally but to send you to a specialist due to liability exposure. The few have ruined it for the many and, as such, PCP's have to operate on a 'cover-my-a#$' basis sometimes.

PCP's can't win. The government has been squeezing them more and more with lower reimbursements, stricter reporting requirements (that do not increase the quality of patient care) and higher malpractice insurance rates. On the other side, they have patients calling all day long about their stubbed toe and whining after a 30 minute phone call that they aren't getting enough attention. All of which has compounded into even great difficulties for the PCP thanks to Obamacare.

There's a saying in the medical field: "There are two kinds of doctors - those that have been sued and those that haven't been sued *yet*.

[FishermanTim]

2X that JohnnyD

PCPs don't have the luxury of being like a "family doctor" due to time constraints and lawsuit potentials. The best you can do is try to develop a solid relationship (professional) with your doctor so he/she knows what to expect from you and you know what to expect from them.
It is difficult, but you can do a lot to create a better doctor/patient environment for future events, critical or routine.

Glad to hear that you are doing OK.

I had my hospital bout last Nov with cellulitis and a blood infection (second caused by the first) My care and follow up were equally great. My PCP answered all my questions which was easy since she gave me more information than I could have thought I needed.

Remember that as a patient it is your sworn duty to ask questions and question results. How else will you know what may be wrong and what needs to be done?

[piemma]

I don't have a PCP. I have a Cardiologist, an Oncologist, a Urologist and a gal down the street at the urgent care who's a Nurse Practitioner. More than what I need.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by piemma

I don't have a PCP. I have a Cardiologist, an Oncologist, a Urologist and a gal down the street at the urgent care who's a Nurse Practitioner. More than what I need.

A lot of insurers require you to have a PCP.....

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

A lot of insurers require you to have a PCP.....

Correct. The latest thing is something called like "patient centered medical home" where the PCP has an ongoing relationship w/the patient and there is a team that has collective responsiblity for the care of that patient. The Dr. is sometimes paid in advance and there are bonus' for keeping the patient healthy. It promises to pay the Drs. more than what they currently get paid which is based on episodic care. Drs and patients seems happier but I heard if this is viable financially.