[kbell]

I've been thinking of going back to a primary care doctor. Haven't had vaccines in a long time and I work in a medical field. And I think they can do testosterone and thyroid tests as well. It would be great to find one that could understand a VAP cholestrol test as well.

There are general practices, family practices and osteopathes. The last does something with the muscles and bones and sounds alternative. I believe there are also holistic doctors but not sure if they are covered by insurance.

What type of doctor do you guys go to for your primary?

[DaveR]

I don't, but maybe I should. In what situation would you see a primary/general practitioner if you had the option of going directly to a specialist? (question - I'm asking).

In Russia there is no referral system, so one may ask to see a specialist directly and that is what I do. For vaccines and routine tests, it's possible to go directly to a lab. They usually have clinics in each neighbourhood and a senior nurse or doctor on staff who is qualified to check the schedule for you.

In Italy I have an arrangement with a primary care doctor so I don't have to waste my time.

I don't have insurance for regular medical expenses; only for hospital cover and emergency evacuation - in those situations I wouldn't be able to make payments. Insurance is not necessary or even desirable in the countries in which I live... it's just a bureaucratic headache.

[kbell]

The biggest is physicals and infections that don't resolve themselves. Blood test often need a primary doctor to get, although if you go to specialists they go do it as well. With my insurance I don't need referrals from a primary, but some insurances require it from my understanding.

[Corroncho]

I go to an internist as my primary care doctor. Internists are more focused on diseases facing adults, and I'm a single guy with no kids, so it makes more sense for me than seeing a family practitioner (as they spend much of their time seeing babies/children.) It also has the added benefit of no shrieking, sickly kids running around and turning the waiting room into a disease incubator.

[The Beast1]

Primary care docs are a waste of money. I went in to see my doc not too long ago. Basically she took my temp, blood pressure, and hammered my knee cap. Asked if anything was wrong.

I got a testosterone amount checked. She initially didn't wanted to do it, but I insisted after I made up some BS.

Honestly a total waste of money seeing her. The tests cost me 100$.

Maybe in your 40s or 50s when you'll need a colonoscopy. Beyond that, medicine and primary care doctors are meant for women.

I'd go see a sports medicine doctor instead.

[TheBadGuy]

(06-13-2015 08:39 AM)The Beast1 Wrote:  

Primary care docs are a waste of money. I went in to see my doc not too long ago. Basically she took my temp, blood pressure, and hammered my knee cap. Asked if anything was wrong.

I got a testosterone amount checked. She initially didn't wanted to do it, but I insisted after I made up some BS.

Honestly a total waste of money seeing her. The tests cost me 100$.

Maybe in your 40s or 50s when you'll need a colonoscopy. Beyond that, medicine and primary care doctors are meant for women.

I'd go see a sports medicine doctor instead.

Vaccines? STD screen? She probably did not want to check your testosterone level because there was no need. If you admit that you had to make up BS reasons to do it then why demand it? PCPs can be good for screening and if you have basic issues or if you have chronic diseases that require occasional checks.

[Virtus]

Male, Jewish, usually in their 50s

[Basil Ransom]

(06-13-2015 08:39 AM)The Beast1 Wrote:  

Primary care docs are a waste of money. I went in to see my doc not too long ago. Basically she took my temp, blood pressure, and hammered my knee cap. Asked if anything was wrong.

I got a testosterone amount checked. She initially didn't wanted to do it, but I insisted after I made up some BS.

Honestly a total waste of money seeing her. The tests cost me 100$.

Maybe in your 40s or 50s when you'll need a colonoscopy. Beyond that, medicine and primary care doctors are meant for women.

I'd go see a sports medicine doctor instead.

Mostly agree. Dentist, dermatologist, specialists, sure. Primary care physicians? Don't do much that a blood test or a Google search couldn't.

[The Beast1]

I had all my vaccines done as a child and teenager. My chart has everything. Since i'm in my mid 20s with zero chronic pain she was useless. I had a blood test done two years prior that helped hammer out a vitamin D deficiency. Beyond that she's been useless.

Personally I feel entitled to know my test levels since they dictate practically everything else. It was never included in my initial test.

Primary care doctors tend to only deal with fat old people who are one foot in the grave anyway hence why they're mildly useless for a young guy.

When I was sitting in the waiting room last, I realized how much resources we waste on the fat, diabetic, and old. I have a family member who is a PC doc and he tells me all of the time how his patients number one problem is laziness especially when it comes to weight. Frankly it was disgusting.

Like I said earlier, i'm going to look for a sports medicine doc. They're PC docs for people who aren't one foot in the grave.