Aa
really liking the new GP :)
Well, I finally met him this morning and so far so good. Some of you will recall I've gotten off to a rocky start with this new GP office. For my first appt, they booked me with the nurse in error, I needed to see the doc. So this needed to be rescheduled and it was many weeks before I could seem him due to his being away. Then that appt was rescheduled as he was having trouble returning from the Middle East (ok that last one is not his fault). Every time I try to call this office it's a nightmare: on hold for up to an hour!; disconnected while on hold; can't leave a voice mail as 1) the mailbox is always full, and 2) they say they don't return calls!
So why am I even bothering with this doc? Unfortunately in the small but fast growing city in which I live, GPs who are accepting new patients are hard to find. My last one whom I was with for five years - best GP ever by the way - closed her practice to relocate. I ran this new guy past her and she really liked him, and I figured that's worth something. I actually prefer a female GP and a few weeks ago actually got in to see one who is brand new to the area - couldn't wait as I had strep throat. Anyway I like her office set up and staff but didn't get a good immediate vibe from her, so I kept my appt with the new guy.
I had a good appt with him this morning. He was running late but didn't make me feel rushed and took time to listen to my history, ready through some of my chart that I brought him, and pulled up on his computer the results of my recent extensive labs and when through each test line by line (all ok; ALT a tiny bit over normal; he isn't worried but said we'll check it again in a while to be sure). He's really personable and warm. I get the same vibe from him as my old GP. I let him know that if I'm not well enough to return to work in the next month or so, I will need to initiate my LTD claim and will need him involved to fill out the physician's statements, etc. He said whatever I need, just let him know. We discussed my chronic neuropathy and the several different meds I've tried with little success. He said if I'm not doing any better with it by the next time I come in, he will refer me to the internist he works closely with, who can take a detailed looked at what I've tried and perhaps offer some suggestions, since there are so many meds out there that are used off-label for different types of pain. No one ever suggested this to me including my neuro, because of this I am skeptical but definitely willing to try. I like that he seems to be thorough. He also said this may help with my LTD claim to demonstrate I'm actively trying to treat my symptoms as best as possible. I'm not worried about LTD, I've already been accepted in the past, and let him know this, though to me it's a good sign he is already considering on my behalf what I need to do to ensure my claim isn't denied. Some docs don't care much about this kind of thing so I appreciate that he seems to.
I completely forgot to mention the phone/message system, if I keep having this problem I will have to remember to discuss it with him as I can see this may be my biggest issue with this office. Not as much of an issue while I'm off work but will be a huge one if/when I return to work. I did book my next appt while I was there so at least that's taken care of. He was 40 mins late seeing me, so I booked my next appt first thing in the morning to avoid waiting next time.
So we'll see, a few problems yes, but the most important aspect, dr/pt relationship, is off to a good start, and I'm very relieved abouth that!
So why am I even bothering with this doc? Unfortunately in the small but fast growing city in which I live, GPs who are accepting new patients are hard to find. My last one whom I was with for five years - best GP ever by the way - closed her practice to relocate. I ran this new guy past her and she really liked him, and I figured that's worth something. I actually prefer a female GP and a few weeks ago actually got in to see one who is brand new to the area - couldn't wait as I had strep throat. Anyway I like her office set up and staff but didn't get a good immediate vibe from her, so I kept my appt with the new guy.
I had a good appt with him this morning. He was running late but didn't make me feel rushed and took time to listen to my history, ready through some of my chart that I brought him, and pulled up on his computer the results of my recent extensive labs and when through each test line by line (all ok; ALT a tiny bit over normal; he isn't worried but said we'll check it again in a while to be sure). He's really personable and warm. I get the same vibe from him as my old GP. I let him know that if I'm not well enough to return to work in the next month or so, I will need to initiate my LTD claim and will need him involved to fill out the physician's statements, etc. He said whatever I need, just let him know. We discussed my chronic neuropathy and the several different meds I've tried with little success. He said if I'm not doing any better with it by the next time I come in, he will refer me to the internist he works closely with, who can take a detailed looked at what I've tried and perhaps offer some suggestions, since there are so many meds out there that are used off-label for different types of pain. No one ever suggested this to me including my neuro, because of this I am skeptical but definitely willing to try. I like that he seems to be thorough. He also said this may help with my LTD claim to demonstrate I'm actively trying to treat my symptoms as best as possible. I'm not worried about LTD, I've already been accepted in the past, and let him know this, though to me it's a good sign he is already considering on my behalf what I need to do to ensure my claim isn't denied. Some docs don't care much about this kind of thing so I appreciate that he seems to.
I completely forgot to mention the phone/message system, if I keep having this problem I will have to remember to discuss it with him as I can see this may be my biggest issue with this office. Not as much of an issue while I'm off work but will be a huge one if/when I return to work. I did book my next appt while I was there so at least that's taken care of. He was 40 mins late seeing me, so I booked my next appt first thing in the morning to avoid waiting next time.
So we'll see, a few problems yes, but the most important aspect, dr/pt relationship, is off to a good start, and I'm very relieved abouth that!
I'm glad you feel like you're connecting with your new GP. You definitely want a good one to build a great foundation on.
He's a keeper if he's already showing that he would support you if you wanted to put in a claim for LTD. My previous neuro just seemed to laugh at me when I brought it up. He has no idea how I feel. At least this one is taking what you say into consideration.
Good luck with getting the chronic neuropathy under control.
-Kelly
He's a keeper if he's already showing that he would support you if you wanted to put in a claim for LTD. My previous neuro just seemed to laugh at me when I brought it up. He has no idea how I feel. At least this one is taking what you say into consideration.
Good luck with getting the chronic neuropathy under control.
-Kelly
Sounds great. Do they have a website or some other means of a suggestion box? Even a letter things are good in writing. I was told not to waste my doctor visit on such matters. May be it is different in Canada.
Alex
Alex
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