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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Racer on June 24, 2006, at 15:30:46
I've had it. I'm not doing well, and don't feel comfortable enough with my current pdoc to bother calling her. My T recommended the current pdoc, and has another she recommends -- but only just recommends, and really only because he communicates with Ts, and anyway, I've seen him, and just won't go back there. Our marriage counsellor has a guy she says is a genius -- Genius is good, but then again, so is killing pirates -- but he's apparently so booked up that he really can't even take me for a consultation. (She's asking if he can, anyway, but even if he can, that wouldn't be until September at the earliest.)
So, I'm at the point of trying to find another pdoc. At least for a second opinion, and to see if I feel comfortable with anyone -- at this point, I'm not that hopeful about that part. I've had a lot of bad experiences at this point. But now that I think I'm ready to see someone new, even if only as a consult, I have no clue how to find someone who's good with meds, good with clients, and won't just tell me, "well, you've tried everything, there's nothing we can do." I'm not feeling much better about doctors in general, although I suppose I could ask my OB/GYN if he can recommend someone, but I'm pretty sure he'd recommend my former pdoc, so that's not a great option. I have a brand new GP, only seen her once, and she's out on maternity leave now, so that's not a great option. And really? I'm not sure how to go about finding a good pdoc at this point.
So, what steps do others here recommend for finding a good pdoc? What's worked for you? (<<If you're happy with your pdoc, that is... I'm apparently pretty good at finding ways that work great for finding less than satisfactory pdocs...)
Maybe we can make a good list of suggestions, that everyone can use in future searches.
Posted by Tom Twilight on June 24, 2006, at 17:21:05
In reply to Ways to find a good pdoc?, posted by Racer on June 24, 2006, at 15:30:46
Hey Racer
I know exactly were your coming from on the doc front.
Its incredibly difficult finding a decent Doc, especially if you live in the UK!
If find bad consultations so disheartening not to mention financially draining!
I should just mention that Dr Goldberge is still practising in NYC.
He sounds fairly good, and replied promptly and courteously when I emailed him.
Posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2006, at 22:06:26
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc?, posted by Tom Twilight on June 24, 2006, at 17:21:05
No clue I've asked countless people and no one uses any practice but the one I see and believe me they are not good. A list might be a good idea. Love Phillipa ps one that listens and dosen't just write a script and send you out the door in l0minutes flat.
Posted by Maxime on June 24, 2006, at 23:24:25
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc?, posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2006, at 22:06:26
Hi Racer
If you know of any friends who see pdocs you can ask them. That's the best way to know. IMHO, there aren't many good pdocs out there ... especially in Canada.
Maxime
Posted by pseudoname on June 25, 2006, at 8:41:16
In reply to Ways to find a good pdoc?, posted by Racer on June 24, 2006, at 15:30:46
Great question, Racer. (And Hi!)
> I've had it. I'm not doing well
Sorry to hear it.
> My T recommended the current pdoc
Interestingly, 3 recommendations from 2 therapists haven't worked out for me.
> and to see if I feel comfortable with anyone
I can't remember where, but I recently read a recommendation that anyone just starting out to get psych treatment should set up appointments with 3 practitioners! Interview each and compare what they say. A lot of work and money for people who aren't functioning well.
> What's worked for you?
Yellow Pages is how I've had the most success. I've called around to see who can take me and who I can afford, and I've sampled them and gotten lucky that way twice. Including finding my current pdoc, who gives me off-label meds. But the pdoc before that was NOT good, and she came from the Yellow Pages, too. So I nixed her and moved on.
Also, I lowered my expectations and kept my eye on my ultimate target: a safe, effective drug, not a good pdoc.
Posted by blueberry on June 25, 2006, at 10:58:43
In reply to Ways to find a good pdoc?, posted by Racer on June 24, 2006, at 15:30:46
Finding a good pdoc. That's hard. It takes some work and some time. What has worked best for me in the past is to not take recommendations from my current therapists or doctors, but to find someone else on my own. I am in the process of doing that right now, so you aren't alone.
I go through the yellow pages. I then call each office with a set of prearranged screening questions. Stuff like...how booked up are you (if they are booked too far in advance it probably means they won't be easily accessible when I need them the most); what age groups do you treat (I want to see someone who treats a lot of geriatric patients because I think they are harder and more fragile to treat); how soon will the doctor get back to me if I have a bad reaction; can you give me a quick appointment if something goes really wrong; are visits 15 minutes or can they be longer; is there a lot of experience with treatment resistance; is he affiliated with a hospital; does he belong to outside psychiatric associations; is the doctor in love with his work (this always catches them off guard). Stuff like that. Whatever is important to you.
Obviously the answers to the questions are important to me. But even more important is how they answer the questions. I can get a good feel for the quality of their service by just talking with the secretary. I can get a feel for whether they are just a prescription factory, a money making machine, or whether they really care about what they do. If they are in a hurry to get me off the phone, they will probably treat me the same way in person. If they don't have the answers to my questions right away, will they or will they not get them for me. All of these things paint a picture when taken together.
I went through maybe 20 names. I came across one that really impressed me. They not only answered my questions the way I hoped, but they showed genuine compassion and interest in my case. They even followed up by calling back. I could be wrong, but I figure if the secretary is outstanding she is probably a good reflection on how the doctor operates.
Basically I'm looking for a good relationship. If they have true compassion and interest, they will have more creativity in choosing meds.
Another way to screen names is to go to insurance company websites. Cigna for example. There you can view the docs in their system. A lot of hospitals have their own websites. Call them and find out. A local hospital here has all the pdocs listed, how long they've been practicing, where they were trained, what their specialties are, what organizations they belong to, photos of what they look like, and such.
Basically I guess I am saying to consider coming up with your own hunting strategy and screening strategy and do not use a recommendation.
And if on that first visit you realize the guy is not at all what you had hoped, have another one lined up.
Posted by bassman on June 25, 2006, at 15:27:28
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc? » Racer, posted by blueberry on June 25, 2006, at 10:58:43
I've been to 3 pdocs in my life. The first one gave me a prescription for Xanax only, although it was obvious I was falling apart emotionally. My GP charmed me into taking Paxil, which helped my panic disorder immensely. When the Paxil pooped out, I went to a pdoc that prescribed Klonopin (which depressed me) and Zoloft (which I had taken before and didn't work). She also told me to just stop taking the 50 mg Paxil I was taking at the time. Then I went to a pdoc who put me on Celexa, which worked, but he spent the entire time taking about chemistry to me because I'm a chemist. He was the only pdoc I didn't end up actively resenting.
So my favorite saying is, "don't go to a pdoc that is crazier than you are!" I've given up-my internist writes me scripts and I try them-not great, but better than going to another pdoc that pisses me off with his/her incompetence and tries to give me drugs (like AP's) that I'm not interested in taking. I love your idea, Racer, of making a list to maximize the chances of getting a decent pdoc. I liked the idea of grilling the staff (blueberry?)-I had the picture of it being a good test-if they figure, "this person's going to be a problem" and just cut you off, you don't want them. I think we'd all like a competent pdoc that is genuinely invested in our mental health-too bad there isn't some sort of guide where patients evaluate their pdoc. I don't think you'll be seeing that, though. :>} Best of luck, Racer.
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2006, at 17:34:21
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc? » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on June 24, 2006, at 23:24:25
Maxie I'm on my way to Canada as I have no friends here. A lot of people see therapists but the ones on the psych meds get them from their GP Love Phillipa ps I need a fluffy quilt and extra pillows and air conditioning down to 63 at night.
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2006, at 17:42:56
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc? » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on June 24, 2006, at 23:24:25
Maxie you meant Racer and I thought you said good ones in Canada so cancel my reservation . So where are the best? In NYC to far to travel. And from living in this state in various places seems like they are all the same. Love Phillips. ps well at least no house guests now.
Posted by Maximus on June 25, 2006, at 18:18:36
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc? » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on June 24, 2006, at 23:24:25
> If you know of any friends who see pdocs you can ask them. That's the best way to know. IMHO, there aren't many good pdocs out there ... especially in Canada.
>
> MaximeHi Maxime,
I can not speak for Montreal, but here at Quebec city, psychiatrists are top notch and up to date. They also take their time, approx. 30 mins. A lot of research are done too.
I've heard that in Halifax pdocs are amazing too.
Bye xx
Posted by fca on June 25, 2006, at 18:23:59
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc? » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on June 24, 2006, at 23:24:25
For what it is worth:
Things I would look for:
1) Board cerification and not just eligibiliy
2) Demonstrated experise in the areaa of which you are concerned--certificates. advanced study or even self report--mood disorders, psychosis, anxiety disrders, etc.
3) Straight out ask you GP or Family Dr. to whom who they would refer their family and friend
4) Academic centers and centers of excellence--
5) Look for publications by the pdoc
6) See if they show up as speakers at local, regional or national workshops
7) Do drug companies use them as spokes persons--they may be shilling for a product but the drug companies know who has credibility among local pdocs
8) Do they explain to you what they are doing and why they are doing it
9) Word of mouth
10) If you know nurses or psychologists who work with a variety of psychiatrists ask them who they would see--not necessarily who they like--while liekability and good bedside manner is nice it is not essential--
11) Where did they go to school and more importantly where did they do their residency--good schools can generate good physicians--mine went to a so-so med school but did her residency at the University of Michigan(very good)
just some ideas off the top of my head.
Since I am in the field I have the advantage of knowing, to some extent, who is (are)the psychiatrists for other psychiatrists and physicians. I think that is the single best way to find a good psychiatrist but it is very hard for an outsider to crack that circle.
Posted by fca on June 25, 2006, at 18:39:10
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc?, posted by fca on June 25, 2006, at 18:23:59
Forgot,I have also been impressed by professionals who decided to go to medical school later in their career--nurses, pharmacists, etc. and went back with the notion of going into psychiatry--my owm pdoc has a phd. in pharacology before she went to med school--and two of my other favorites were both nurses. Just an observation
Posted by Maxime on June 25, 2006, at 20:49:19
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc? » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2006, at 17:34:21
You wouldn't be able to put up with my mom ... believe me. :-)
> Maxie I'm on my way to Canada as I have no friends here. A lot of people see therapists but the ones on the psych meds get them from their GP Love Phillipa ps I need a fluffy quilt and extra pillows and air conditioning down to 63 at night.
Posted by Maxime on June 25, 2006, at 20:52:17
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc? » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2006, at 17:42:56
actually i said there AREN'T many good pdocs out there ... meaning I don't think they exist on the planet! LOL! And like I said, you wouldn't be able to live here with my mom around.
maxie
Posted by Maxime on June 25, 2006, at 20:55:28
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc? » Maxime, posted by Maximus on June 25, 2006, at 18:18:36
Hi Maximus! Well I met some whacko pdocs at the Douglas hospital that is suppose to be the best (rolls eyes). But there is a lot of research done at McGill. My pdoc usually spends at least an hour with me.
Hugs,
maxime
>
> Hi Maxime,
>
> I can not speak for Montreal, but here at Quebec city, psychiatrists are top notch and up to date. They also take their time, approx. 30 mins. A lot of research are done too.
>
> I've heard that in Halifax pdocs are amazing too.
>
> Bye xx
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2006, at 21:43:37
In reply to Re: Ways to find a good pdoc? » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on June 25, 2006, at 20:52:17
I agree about the pdocs but how bad can your Mother ber? Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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