Your Doctor

@allknowing (136539)
India
April 2, 2011 11:44pm CST
We all need to have a family doctor but it is not easy to find one when most of these doctors are specialists. I have one, though he is a specialist. Being a family friend I contact him for any problems I have and I do that mostly over the phone. But some times I have to go for a check up and it is these physical check ups that I am not very comfortable with. Would you overlook these situations and retain your doctor or look for someone else?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@umabharti (3972)
• India
3 Apr 11
hi.,i went for a general check up and its for first time., i preferred a lady gynecologist and she is a famous doctor.According to the age of thirty plus i thought of having a checkup and asking for any precautions to be taken ., I didnt want a family friend or someone well knwn doctor as i didnt feel i can be free with any issue consulting., Some like family doctors consultation and some dont.It depends on how free we are in communication with them.,the main thing here is to get good health and every one feels this is important.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136539)
• India
4 Apr 11
One always needs a doctor and sometimes just by talking one gets relief. Going for general check up is done occasionally but for minor ailments one needs a general practitioner who could be consulted even over the phone which is not possible with specialists.
@CONDLAUR (134)
• Romania
3 Apr 11
In my country the health system is different. We have a family doctor but is not a specialist in a domain. He is a generalist. If you go to them he will know or not what to give you. So from there you get a ticket to another specialist doctor regarding your symptoms. So you need first to go to family doctor, then he sends you to a specialist and that "specialist" sends you to another and so one.
@allknowing (136539)
• India
4 Apr 11
This is the best system and it used to be the same even here. But general practitioners are becoming rare and so one finds people going to hospitals where they will have a general check up and depending on the kind of ailment they are then put under specialists.
@gerald_lian (2188)
• Australia
3 Apr 11
As a child I did have a family doctor, who happens to be a close friend of my parents. If anyone in the family falls sick, he is the first doctor that we will go to for help. But now that I've grown and now in the working world, I no longer have a family doctor, partly because I'm living all alone on my own in a foreign country, and partly because I do a lot of travelling around (I hardly stay put at one place). I haven't been sick for many years now, but if I do, I normally just go to the local doctor nearest to where I live. I am not very picky with the doctors I deal with, just as long as they are reliable and diagnose my condition correctly.
@allknowing (136539)
• India
4 Apr 11
For minor ailments one cannot go to specialists and therefore it is always nice to have a family doctor who could be consulted in such situations. But these days such doctors are hard to come by. I do have one but I am not very comfortable although we have known him for years and is very good with his treatment.
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
3 Apr 11
My two siblings has their own doctor (specialist) since my two younger siblings suffers with heart ailment. But i still consider having second opinion with other specialist each time they were having troubles or complains why they still feeling this and that and their health not improving. It's good to have a family doctor,at least all the necessary history are readily/handy available in case of emergencies. happy weekend
@allknowing (136539)
• India
4 Apr 11
I too feel a bit uncomfortable but as you said one needs a doctor who could be consulted even for minor ailments for which one need not fix appointments,etc.
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
3 Apr 11
A doctor is a professional. Given that you are consulting him over the phone, I think it is right for you to seek his attention for the physical checks. Afterall, he also has a history of your consultation and will be able to diagnose better. Drop the inhibitions. If you are worried about being seen, I am sure he has seen enough. Trust him, or don't even call him on the phone for consultation. Fair?
@allknowing (136539)
• India
4 Apr 11
I only wish I was comfortable as I have no other alternative. General Practitioners are hard to come by and this doctor is willing to pay attention to our minor ailments as nowadays one only sees specialists.
3 Apr 11
I am residing in a village situated mid of the colony in to my populated town.In my village there is a doctor that is much experienced and available for the advice to me and anyone else in my village.So that is like the urgent family doctor for us.
@allknowing (136539)
• India
4 Apr 11
Villages do have problems. I have seen patients coming all the way from distances for consultations to towns. But this scenario will soon change.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
5 Apr 11
We have a family doctor. And every time we go to her for a check-up, she can give proper medication. But when there is something that she suspect that needs a specialist, She would recommend something. But during the time we had problem with our son, Who had sleep apnea for almost or over 3 years. I decided to visit a doctor which specializes a certain illness. That is to get the exact medication and treatment. Because, most of the time, We ran out of time and money.
• Philippines
3 Apr 11
Unfortunately, we don't have a particular family doctor. I think that when you are being treated for a particular illness or sickness, it's best to go to a doctor you can trust and if you are satisfied with the cure, then maybe you can always go back to him or her. I'd like to keep my options open when it comes to treatment because I think that some doctors are way better than others and that some doctors are friendlier than others. I love friendly doctors and those that really explain to you what the sickness, the treatment or the diagnosis is all about.
@allknowing (136539)
• India
4 Apr 11
There was a time when there were only general practitioners but nowadays we only come across specialists. And these specialists will only deal with diseases they are specialised in which is not a healthy trend. The doctor that treats me is a specialist but being a friend we consult him for other minor ailments too.
@moirai (2853)
• Philippines
3 Apr 11
Hello! All medical doctors are general practitioners to start with, so you may consult any one of them. In turn, they will be able to determine whether they can handle your case themselves or if they need to refer you to someone else. As for the physical examination, that is an integral part of your consultation. Doctors are professionals, there is no need to be embarrassed. However, it is understandable that you may have apprehensions at first. My advice would be to choose a doctor that you are comfortable with. Also keep in mind that doctors are professionals and the examination is done to evaluate (diagnose) and treat you properly. Have a good day! =)